977.501 M*l-,.
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1198627
^E?V/EAL.OC3V COL-LECTION
;OUNTY PUBLI
llililll
3 1833 01052 8054
HISTORY OF
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY,
♦ ^m^
WISCONSIN
PAST AND PRESENT
Including an account of the Cities, Towns and
Villages of the County
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
JUDGE WILLIAM F. BAILEY
Illustrated
1914
C. F. COOPER & CO.
CHICAGO
1198827
INTRODUCTION.
After more thau half a century of growth since its organiza-
tion as a county, it seemed fitting that an historical account of
its settlement, development, its people and institutions, should be
made at this time and preserved; its primary importance is the
placing in book form and for all time the earlier historical inci-
dents surrounding the settlements of the various towns, cities and
villages, and that the time was almost too late, and the work too
long neglected, became very apparent to the editors when the
search for material began, for with the passing of the early set-
tlers, comparatively few of them still live in different parts of
the county, have gone forever the opportunity to get early facts
in some instances.
To properly and adequately write the history of Eau Claire
county has been a task encompassed with tremendous difficulties ;
it has been accomplished after laborious research, and the co-op-
eration of many of its oldest citizens, whose aid the editors ac-
knowledge most gratefully, for, without it, some parts of this
work Avould have been impossible.
Eau Claire county, from its humble beginning, having been,
through the untiring energy and perseverance of its pioneers,
brought to be one of the finest counties in the state of Wisconsin,
holds indeed a wonderful .story of progress. Its cities built to
stay, whose schools, churches and institutions are equal to any
in the state, whose people are progressive and possess a fine sense
of civic pride, are alone worthy of the efforts of the historian:
in addition to that, its beautiful little villages, its rich agricultural
resources and dairying interests, place it in the front rank in
many respects.
It has been the intention of the publishers from the start to
publish a complete and comprehensive history of the county. They
have endeavored to cover every representative subject and relate
the stoi-y of all the various interests impartially, as was within
the power of the editors to obtain. That there are some omissions
on some subjects there can be no doubt, but the instances of this
are almost wholly brought about by parties called upon and in
whose possession facts alone Avere. have caused such omissions.
4 INTRODUCTION
The publishers of the history desire to acknowledge the cor-
dial and valuable assistance which has been accorded them in its
compilation by many citizens of Eau Claire county. It has been
a help deeply appreciated and deserves due recognition. Among
those to whom special thanks are due is Hon. "William P. Bailey,
James H. Waggoner, Percy C. Atkinson, ]\Iarshall Cousins, Walde-
mar Ager, Reinhold Liebau, Miss A. E. Kidder. W. H. Schulz,
W. W. Bartlett, L. A. Brace, J. P. Welsh. Frank L. Clark, C. W.
Lockwood, G. F. Caldwell, W. A. Clark.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE.
All the biographical sketches published in this history were
submitted to their respective subjects, or to the subscribers from
whom the facts were primarilj' obtained, for their approval or
correction before going to press, and a reasonable time was al-
lowed in each case for the return of the typewritten copy. Most
of them were returned to us within the time allotted, or before the
work was printed, after being corrected or revised, and these,
therefore, may be regarded as reasonably accurate.
A few, however, were not returned to us, and as we have no
means of knowing whether they contain errors or not, we cannot
vouch for their accuracy. In justice to our readers, and to ren-
der this work valuable for reference purposes, we have indicated
these uncorrected sketches by a small asterisk (*) placed imme-
diately after the name of the subject.
C. P. COOPER & COMPANY.
I
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER PAGE
1. Islaud of AViseoiisin 9
II. Coming of the Whites 11
III. Carver 's Cave Found 18
IV. Indian Treaties 20
V. The Red Men 23
VI. IIow Eau Claire County Was Made 29
VII. Townships 33
VIII. Fruits and Berries 43
IX. Agriculture and Dairying 49
X. Eau Claire Count}' Training School 54
XI. Eau Claire County in the Civil War 56
XII. Grand Army of the Republic 193
XIII. Organized Militia 199
XIV. Griffin Rifles 206
XV. Spanish-American War 218
XVI. Courts and Legal Profession 262
XVII. Medical Fraternity 304
XVIII. Old Settlers' Association 345
XIX. Asylum and Home for the Poor 347
XX. Eau Claire Prior to Its Incorporation as a City. . 349
XXI. Lumber Interests 373
XXII. Reign of Terror in Eau Claire 379
XXIII. The City of Eau Claire 381
XXIV. Eau Claire Fire Department 387
XXV. Public Schools of Eau Claire 407
XXVI. Floods 436
XXVII. City Parks 438
XXVTII. The Children's Home 441
XXIX. Eau Claire Public Library 443
XXX. Post Office 445
XXXT. Societies and Clubs 448
XXXII. Young Men's Christian Association 456
XXXIIL Eau Claire Business Houses 461
XXXIV. Eau Claire Industries 474
XXXV. The Railroads 489
XXXVI. Eau Claire Street Railway and Interurban Lines 497
7
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
XXXVII. Newspapers of the County 499
XXXVIII. Eau Claire Churches 511
XXXIX. Banks of Eau Claire County 536
XL. Hotels 540
XLI. Germanism 553
XLII. Norwegians 574
XLIII. City of Augusta 582
XLIV. Augusta Churches 598
XLV. Village of Fairehild 615
XLVI. Pall Creek 619
XL VII. Biography . . . 623
CHAPTER I.
THE ISLAND OP WISCONSIN.
By
MISS A. E. KIDDER.
'■Geologists assert with positiveness that ages ago the area
tliat is now the north central portion of Wisconsin and the upper
peninsula of Michigan was an island of great altitude. They
trace the physical history of Wisconsin back even to a state of
complete submergence beneath the waters of the ancient ocean."
"Let an extensive but shallow sea covering tlie whole of the
present territory of the state be pictured to the mind," suggests
the eminent geologist, T. C Chamberlin, "and let it be imagined
to be depositing mud and sand as at the present day. The thick-
ness of the sediment was immense, being measured by thousands
of feet. In the progress of time, an enormous pressure attended
by heat was brought to bear upon them laterally or edgewise
by which thej' were folded and crumpled, and forced out of the
water, giving rise to an island, the nucleus of Wisconsin. The
force producing this upheaval is believed to have arisen from
the cooling and contraction of the globe. The foldings may be
imaged as the wrinkles of a shrinking earth." The climate
was tropical, incessant showers crumbled the soil on top and the
ocean waves crumbled the sides. This erosion through unnum-
bered ages began to level the mountainous island till the sediment
washed down on all sides, cut down the height and added to the
area. Thus as the altitude was cut down, the area expanded.
Soon little outlying islands or reefs were formed that in time
became attached to the parent isle. Ages passed, the crust of the
earth yielding to the tremendous pressure beneath, opened into
fissures which were pierced by masses of molten rock holding
the elements which later chemical processes have converted into
rich mineral ledges. Thus by continued upheavals and erosions,
the surface and the length and breadth of this ancient island of
Wisconsin was subjected to constant change. After the upheav-
als that resulted in deposits of iron and copper, and accumula-
tions of sandstone miles in thickness, came a great period of ero-
9
10 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIKE COUNTY
sion. To the disintegrations thus washed into the water were
added immense accumulations of the remains of marine life. The
casts of numerous trilobites found in Wisconsin are relics of this
age. Immense beds of sandstone with layers of limestone and
shale were formed. The waters acting on the copper and iron
of the Lake Supei'ior region gave the sandstone deposit there its
tint of red. On the southern end of the island, the sandstones
lack this element and they are to this day light colored.
Next came the great ice age. One monster stream of ice
plowed along the eastern edge and hollowed the bed of Lake
Michigan ; another scooped out Lake Superior and penetrated
into Minnesota, Avhile between these prodigious prongs of ice
one of lesser size bored its way along Green Bay and do-mi the
valley of the Fox. When warmer days came, the glaciers melted
and the water filled numerous depressions scooped out in the
early irresistible progress of the vast masses. Thus were foi'med
the 2,000 or more lakes that make of Wisconsin a summer para-
dise. The warmth that melted the ice to water also brought forth
the vegetation to cover the nakedness of the land, the forests
grew, and "man came upon the scene."
CHAPTER II.
THE COMING OF THE WHITES.
By
MISS A. E. KIDDER.
In 1(518, Jean Nieolet, son of a Pari.sian mail carrier, came
from Cherbourg, Normandy, to Place Royale, now Montreal,
Canada. He possessed sterling character, abounding energy and
great religious enthusiasm. Champlain, the restless navigator,
had passed fifteen strenuous years in exploring the St. Lawrence
and Ottawa rivers. Lake Huron and Hudson Bay. He now sent
th(! newcomer to stay among the Algonquins of Isle des Allu-
metles on the Ottawa river to learn their language and customs
and share their hardships, aud then to dwell with the Nipissings
until 1633. Then Champlain, governor of Canada, recalled him
and made him commissary and Indian interpreter to the one hun-
dred associates, with Quebec as his residence. He had now served
his apprenticeship and later was selected by Champlain to make
a journey to the Winnebagoes and to solve the problem of a near
I'oute to China. The tapper Mississippi had not been discovered,
nothing was known of a vast land toward the west, and it was
believed that a few days' journey would reach China. This was
in July, 1634. Seven Hurons accompanied him, and in a birch-
bark canoe they passed along the northern shore of Lake Huron
and at Sault St! Marie set foot on land which is now part of
Michigan, and discovered the lake of that name. Steering his
canoe along the northern shore of Green Bay, he thought he had
reached China. This was about fourteen years later than the
landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock. Nieolet had met sev-
eral Indian tribes, and now the Menomonies at the mouth of the
Menomonie river. He was now on Wisconsin soil, its discoverer,
and the first white man there. One of his Hurons had been sent
forward to announce his coming as a mission of peace to the sup-
posed celestials. Arrayed in their gorgeous mandarin robe, he
advanced to meet the crowd with a pistol in each hand which he
fired into the air one after the other. The chiefs called him
"Thunder Beaver." Four thousand chiefs of different tribes
11
12 HISTORY OF P:AU CLAIRE COUNTY
iu council, each chief giving a feast at which Nicolet
explained the benefits to be gained by their trading with the
French colony at Quebec. After a rest, he journeyed through
regions of wild rice marshes until he reached the Mascoutins.
Had he but known it, a journey of three days would have taken
him to the Wisconsin river and theuce he could have drifted
down to the "Great Water." But he proceeded southward to-
wards the Illinois country and thus missed discovering the upper
Mississippi, which Joliet found thirty-nine years later. After
a visit among the Illinois and kindred tribes, Nicolet returned
to the Green Bay country, and when spring made canoeing pos-
sible, to Montreal. Six months later the great Champlain "Father
of New France" died. Troubles among the Indians in Canada
kept his successors from following up these researches in the
West, but the gallant Nicolet had "blazed the path" which Kadis-
son was to follow in twenty-five years.
The death of Nicolet is a pathetic story. After his return to
Canada, he spent much of his time in ministering to the sick and
in official duties at Three Rivers and Quebec, where he served as
commissary and interpreter, being greatly beloved by Frenchmen
and Indians. One evening word was brought that Algonquins
were torturing an Indian prisoner. To prevent this, he entered a
launch to go to the place with several companions. A tempest
upset the frail boat, the men clung to it till one by one they were
torn from it by the waves. As Nicolet was about to be swept
away, he called to his companion, "I'm going to God. I com-
mend to you my wife and daughter." In 1660 two explorers,
Radisson and Grosseilliers, returned to Montreal with the tale of
their journey to the Lake Superior region. They had also visited
the head waters of the Black river in Wisconsin, and the Huron
village on the head waters of what apparently was the Chippewa
river. In their second voyage on the shore of Chequamegon Bay,
they constructed the first habitation ever built by white men in
Wisconsin. A little fort of stakes surrounded by a cord on which
were "tyed small bells (wch weare senteryes)." It is believed
that the two Frenchmen wintered in the neighborhood of Mil-
waukee and possibly Chicago in 1658 and '59. After many
adventures among the Sioux and at Hudson's bay, they returnea
to Montreal. Wavering in allegiance between the French and
English as best suited their interests, they finally made England
their home and died in that country. The account of the perilous
journeys of these adventurous men has been gathered from a
manuscript written by Radisson when he was iu England. This
THE COMING OF THE WHITES 13
Una n curious liistoiy. It was not written for publication, hut
to interest King Charles in the schemes of these renegade Frencli-
men to help tlie English wrest the Hudson Bay country from
French control. They did interest Clint Rupert, and the found-
ing of the Hudson Bay Company was the result.
This journal of Radissou's came into the possession of Samuel
Pepys, author of the well known "Pepys Diary," who was sec-
retary of the admiralty. After his death in 1703, many of his
valuable collections were sadly neglected. Some went into waste
paper baskets, some into London shops, and in one of these in
1750 this .journal was picked up by a man who recognized its
value and placed it in a British libraiy. There it slumbered until
1885 when the Prince Society of Boston published it in a limited
edition. Only two copies are owned in Wisconsin.
Next came the reign of the forest ranger, the "Coureur de
bois." New Prance held a host of soldiers of fortune, younger
sons of the nobility and disbanded soldiers, who, with no ties
to bind them to domestic hearthstones, turned the prows of their
birchbark canoes westward, and with utter disregard of hazards
that threatened and hardships that must be endured, penetrated
to the most remote regions of the lake country. For a century
and a half the forest ranger and the fur trader were the most
potent factors in the discoveries that preceded settlement. Unlike
the sturd}^ Saxon, whose meeting witli the aborigines meant the
survival of the fittest, the easy-going Frenchman did not seek to
crowd the Indian from his place. Instead, he adapted himself
with the customs and habits of the red man, and became half
Indian liimself, danced with the braves, smoked the calumet at
the councils of the tribe, or wooed and won the dusky maidens
of the woods.
After a time, the French authorities tried to suppress these
lawless rangers of the woods, deeming their barter for furs an
infringement on the rights of the government. Severe repressive
measures did not deter the unlicensed traffic, and then the author-
ities tried to regulate it by stipulating how many canoes would
be permitted to engage in it. There were three men to each
canoe. Despite their disregard of law, the rangers proved of
great service to the government, for wherever they went, they
made friends of the Indian. This friendship for the French
remained steadfast in the case of every Algonquin tribe but one —
the Pox Indians of "Wisconsin. The lawless coureur de bois thus
became the advance guard who spread for Prance the great
arteries of trade in the western country. Of this company of
14 HISTORY OF EAU CLiilRE COUNTY
eoureiu-s de bois whose favorite abiding place was Wisconsin,
none became as famous as Nicholas Perrot. The oldest memorial
in Wisconsin today of the white man's occupation here is a
soleil wrought in silver and presented by Perrot to the Jesuit
mission at Green Bay in 1686. This ancient relic was unearthed
by workmen ninety-five years ago while digging a foundation,
and is now in the possession of the Wisconsin Historical Society
at Madison. Long before the thought of giving to the mission on
the Fox this Catholic emblem, Perrot had become familiar with
the region aroimd Green Bay. In his earlier years, he attached
himself to the wandering missionaries as a hunter to provide
for their wants while they were threading the woods in search of
converts. He was twenty-four years old when in 1665 he made
the acquaintance of the Wisconsin Indians and obtained an ex-
traordinary influence over them. It was of the greatest impor-
tance to French interests that the western Indians should remain
at peace Avith each other, and the authorities at Montreal in-
trusted to Perrot the delicate role of peacemaker. He found in
what is now northwestern Wisconsin "a race unsteady as aspens,
and fierce as wild-cats; full of mutual jealousies, without rulers
and without laws." Perrot succeeded well in pacifying the
unruly nomads of forest and prairie. He built a number of rude
stockades or forts in Wisconsin. One was Fort St. Antoine on
the Wisconsin shore of Lake Pepin, traces of which fort werb
visible four decades ago; another was near the present site of
Trempeleau where but a few years since was discovered the
hearth and fireplace that he had built two hundred years before.
He also built a fort near the lead mines which he discovered
while traveling among the tribes to prevent an alliance with the
Iroquois who were friendly to the English. When in 1671 the
French commander St. Lusson formally took possession of the
entire Avestern country in the name of "Louis XIV," the mag-
nificent, fourteen tribes were represented, gathered hither bj^
Perrot at Sault Ste Marie. The ceremony was elaborate ; a huge
wooden cross was surrounded by the splendidly dressed officers
and their soldiers, and led by the black-gowned Jesuit priests
of the company, the uncovered Frenchmen chanted the Seventh
Century hymn, beginning thus: "Vexilla Regis Proderunt Fulget
criicis mystei'ium," etc. As the sound of their hoarse voices
died away, St. Lusson advanced to a post erected near the cross
and as the royal arms of France engraved on a tablet of lead
were nailed thereon, he lifted a sod, bared his SAVord and dramati-
cally took possession of the soil in the name of the Grand Mon-
THE COMING OF THE WHITES 15
arque, Louis XIV, styled "The Magnificent." St. Lusson, in
taking possession, claimed for the king of France "Lakes Huron
and Superior, the Island of Manitoulin and all countries, rivers,
lakes and streams contiguous and ad.jacent thereto; both those
which have been discovered aud those which may be discovered
hereafter in all their length and breadth, bounded on the one side
by the seas of the North and of the "West, and on the other by the
South sea." "Long live the king," came from the brazen throats
of the soldiers as the ceremony Avas concluded, and the primitive
savages howled in sympathy. Hardly had St. Lusson 's gorgeous
pageant come to a conclusion, when the Indians celebrated on
their own aecouut by stealing the royal arms. When Rene Men-
ard, a Jesuit missionary, came to the wilds of Wisconsin in 1660,
he was already an old man, and his life was soou sacrificed with
hardships and the brutalities of the Indians. A band of Indians
moi-e compassionate than those among whom he had first jour-
neyed took him to their wintering station at Keweenaw bay on
the south shore, where he started a mission. Later he heard of
distant pagan tribes to be brought to Christianity, and under-
took the journey to find them in July, 1661, with a French com-
panion and a party of Indians. Before long, the latter brutall.y
abandoned the two Frenchmen. Father Menard became lost Avhile
following his companions, and the cause of his death remains a
mystery, though his cassock and kettle were found later in an In-
dian lodge. In 1665, Piere Claude Allouez was appointed to the
Ottawa mission in Menard's place. He went to the village of the
Chippewas at Chequamigon, selected a site and built a wigwam of
bark. This was the first mission established in Wisconsin and
was also a trading post. Here Allouez remained four years. In
1670, having been joined by two other priests, they visited Green
Bay and established the mission of St. Xavier. Father IMarcpiette
who succeeded Allouez at Chequamigon, also found it a hard
field. The Indians were a hostile tribe; battles were frequent,
and when defeated tribes sought refuge on the Island of Michili-
mackinac, Marcpiette accompanied them and founded the mission
of St. Ignace on the opposite main land. Two years later he
went with Joliet on his expedition to the Mississippi.
Louis Hennepin and his companions appear to have been the
first white men to traverse the Chippewa river from its mouth
northward. This was in 1680. In 1767, Jonathan Carver fol-
lowed him. Jonathan Carver was a Connecticut soldier, energetic
and enterprising, who purposed to journey from the Atlantic to
the Pacific, making a correct map and tell the truth about the
16 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
great interior country. He -was well fitted for his task by early
training along the Indian frontier of New England. Fitting him-
self out as a trader, he reached Green Bay in September, 1766.
A few days later, ascending the Fox river, he reached the great
town of the Winnebagoes. An Indian queen named "Glory of
the Jlorniug" ruled the village, and Captain Carver enjoyed
her hospitality for several days. "She was an ancient woman,
small in stature and not much distinguished by her dress from
the woman who attended her," says Captain Carver. In depart-
ing from her village, he made the queen suitable presents and
received her blessing in return. He then proceeded along the
Pox to the portage, and thence down the "Ouisconsin, " as he
spelled it. The great fields of wild rice that almost choked the
former stream, and the myriads of wild fowl that fed on the suc-
culent grain, attracted his notice. "This river is the greatest
resort of wild fowl of every kind that I ever saw in the whole
course of my travels," he wrote. "Frequently the sun would be
obscured by them for some minutes together. Deer and bear are
very numerous." Prom the time he left Green Bay until his
canoe was beached at Prairie du Chien, Captain Carver had seen
no trace of white men. Well-built Indian towns greeted his view
as he floated down the Wisconsin, but at Prairie du Chien he
found the most notable town. "It is a large town and contains
about 300 families," he wrote. "The houses are well built after
the Indian manner and situated on a rich soil from which they
raise every necessary of life in abundance. This town is a great
mart M'here all the adjacent tribes, and even those from the most
remote branches of the Mississippi, annually assemble about the
latter end of May, bringing furs to dispose of to the traders, but
it is not always that thej' conclude the sale here ; this is deter-
mined by a council of the chiefs who consult whether it would
be more conducive to their interests to sell their goods at this
place or carry them on to Louisiana, or Michilimackinac." It
has been claimed for Carver that he was the first traveler who
made known to the people of Europe the existence of the ancient
mounds found in the Mississippi valley, and long believed to have
been the work of an extinct people. Carver spent the winter
among the Sioux and explored Minnesota to a considerable ex-
tent. They told him much about the country to the west, of the
great river that emptied into the Pacific, of the "Shining Moun-
tain" within whose bowels could be found precious metals, and
much else that was new and wonderful. In their great council
cave, they gave to him and to his descendants forever a great
THE COMING OP THE WHITES 17
tract of land about fourteen thousand squai'e miles in area, em-
bracing the whole of the northwestern part of Wisconsin and
part of Minnesota. At least this gift was afterward made the
basis for the famous Carver claim. The United States Congress
after long investigation and consideration rejected the claim.
Despite this action, many persons were duped into purchasing
land on the strength of Carver's Indian deeds. After spending
some time in the Lake Superior region, Carver returned to Mich-
ilimaekinac. In his little birchbark canoe he had made a journey
of nearly twelve hundred miles. He returned to Boston in 1768
and thence to England. Ill luck pursued him there, his coloniz-
ing schemes collapsed, and in the great city of London this noted
traveler died of starvation.
CHAPTER III.
CARVER'S CAVE FOUND.
Old settlers will recall the facsimile of the oM deeds given by
Indian chiefs to the early white men which spoke of a great piece
of land running from St. Anthony Falls and mapped out so
that it Avould take in all this part of the country. The copy was
framed by W. K. Coffin for the Local Historical Society. In this
connection the following from St. Paul may be of interest:
"David C. Shepard, Sr., of 324 Dayton avenue, St. Paul, has
discovered that he is the possessor of a deed which conveys to
his father and the latter 's heirs and assigns a tract of land includ-
ing all of the cities of Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls and Altoona,
to say nothing of all of the city of St. Paul, a portion of Minne-
apolis, the villages of Hudson, Durand and many other Wisconsin
hamlets. Mr. Shepard will not try to take possession of the
property called for by this interesting document, but if. the
deed was worth anything he might become one of the greatest
land-owners in the world. The only use that will be made of
the deed is to exhibit it among the documents of the Minnesota
Historical Society, to which organization Mr. Shepard has pre-
sented the old conveyance. The deed is signed by Martin King,
the great grandson of Jonathan Carver, the early explorer to
whom the chiefs of the Naudoessies Indian tribes conveyed a tract
of land east of the Mississippi river, extending along the river
from St. Anthony Falls, in Minneapolis, south to the junction of
the Mississippi and Chippewa rivers, thence east one hundred
miles, thence north one hundred and twenty miles, thence west
in a straight line to St. Anthony Falls. These boundaries include
Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Altoona and other cities and villages
named. Martin King, as heir to Jonathan Carver, came into pos-
session of the property named, theoretically at least, and he
deeded it to Mr. Shepard 's father and others. The latter deeds
were executed at Lima, Livingston county, New York, April 20,
1838, and were recorded by Calvin H. Bryan, commissioner of
the Supreme court of New York. Under the terms of the deed,
Mr. Shepard 's father paid only five hundred dollars for the land
that is now worth millions.
18
CARVER'S CAVE FOUND 19
"The original deed, the terms of which are repeated in the
deed held by Mr. Shepard, was executed in Carver's cave, St.
Paul (which has recently been re-located by the officials of St.
Paul). On May 1, 1767, Carver, in his Avriting, said this cave was
often used for councils among the Indian tribes. The chiefs who
signed this original deed conveying this vast tract of land to Carver
were Haw-no-paw-gat-an and Otah-ton-goom-lish-eaw. In deed-
ing the land to Carver, they reserved the right to fish and hunt
on land not planted or improved. The original deed was recorded
in the plantation office, White Hall, London.
"Mr. Shepard says he believes the deed is worthless, save as
a liistorical document, but it sheds additional light on the famous
original deed which some historians have intimated never ex-
isted. It is of special interest at this time since etforts are being
made to raise funds to preserve Carver's cave as one of the his-
torical spots of the Northwest. For many years the entrance to
this cave had been lost, but within the past few months the county
surveyor of Ramsey county, Minnesota, and the Dayton Bluff
Commercial Club, a St. Paul organization, have located the cav-
ern's entrance. A big lake has been discovered in the cave, and
all attempts which have been made to drain the cavern have
met with little success.
CHAPTER IV.
INDIAN TREATIES.
The pine lands of the Chippewa were known to exist 150
years ago, but it was not until 1822 that the first sawmill was
constructed to convert the timber into lumber, and to float it
down the Mississippi to the markets on its banks. The fame of
the resources of the valley in this respect spread far and wide,
even to New England, and slowly the tide of emigration_setjEU
Thus this noW' famous lumber region T5ecame peopled with the
general exodus from the eastern states whi,-3h began in 1835 and
continued for many years. These were the sturdy pioneers who
have made the valley what it is today. The men and women who
endured hardships and privations in order to make the after
years of their lives worth living, and to pave the way for others
who would carry on the enterprise. The emigrants from Europe,
especially from Sweden, came later until the population became
a mixture of Americans, English, Scotch, Scandinavians, Ger-
mans, etc. The delta of the Chippewa and the territory lying
between the Mississippi and the Menomonie (Red Cedar) rivers
were claimed by Wabashaw's band of Sioux Indians, though it
was in truth the neutral ground between the Sioux and the Chip-
pewas, among whom a deadly feud existed. The whole of what
is now Wisconsin was up to 1825 held by various tribes of In-
dians, in some instances by force of arms. Their respective rights
in the land became so complicated and were the cause of such
frequent bloodshed among them that the government determined
to change this condition of things if possible. Under its direc-
tion and authority, a treaty was entered into at Prairie du Chien
in 1825 by all the Indian tribes within a distance of 500 miles
each way, and approved by General William Clark and Lewis
Cass on behalf of the government, whereby the boundaries of
the respective territories of the Indian nations represented were
definitely fixed. The negotiation was continued at Fond du Lac
in 1826 because not all the Chippewa bands had been represented
at Prairie du Chien, notwithstanding thirty-six chiefs and heads-
men had signed. At this time everyone was satisfied, and not
onlv were the articles of Prairie du Chien confirmed, but a clause
INDIAN TREATIES 21
was put in the treaty giving the United States the right to take
any metals or minerals from the country. By the treaty of 1837,
all the lands of the Sioux nation east of the Mississippi, and all
the islands belonging to them in that river, were, for the consid-
erations therein mentioned, ceded to the United States; also the
lands claimed by the Chippewas back from Lake Superior in
"Wisconsin.
In October, 1812, To-go-ne-ge-shik with eighty-five chiefs and
braves of the Chippewas executed a treaty at La Pointe on Lake
Superior whereby all the Chippewa lauds in Wisconsin became
listed in the United States. For this kingdom the United States
paid the Chippewas about one million dollars. The treaty granted
in general terms eighty acres to each head of a family or single
person over twenty-one of Chippewa or mixed blood, provided
for allotment in severalty by the President as fast as the occu-
pants became capable of transacting their own affairs, gave the
President authority to assign tracts in exchange for mineral
lands, and allowed right of way, upon compensation, to all neces-
sary roads, highways and railroads. The Indians were to receive
$5,000 a year for twenty years in money, $8,000 in goods, house-
hold furniture and cooking utensils, $3,000 a year in agricultural
implements, cattle, carpenter and other tools and building mate-
rial, and $3,000 a year for moral and c(lu<-ati(ui;il ]>urposes, of.
which the Grand Portage baud, having;- a special tliiisi lor learn-
ing, was to receive $3,000. To paj^ all ddits $!)(>, (10(1 was jilaced at
the disposal of the chiefs. Here the Indians fared better than
in earlier treaties. At Traverse de Sioux the fur traders were
present with their old accounts equipped to absorb nearly every-
thing paid the Indians. In one treaty their bills were rendered
for $250,000, in another for $156,000, and about all the Indians
got was the pleasure of seeing the money counted past them. It
was also provided that the annuities thereafter should not be
subject to the debts of individual Indians, but that satisfaction
should be made for depredations committed by them. Next came
a clause which probably did more to get the treaties signed than
the three thousand dollars a year for educational and moral pur-
poses. Also, said the treaty, two hundred guns, one hundred
rifles, five hundred beaver traps, three hundred dollars in ammu-
nition, one thousand dollars in ready-made clothing for the young
men of the nation. That clause was reserved by the commission-
ers till they were ready to nail down the contracts, and it was
effective. It was provided that missionaries and others residing
in tile tei'ritory should be allowed to enter at the minimum price
22 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
the land they already occupied wherever survey was made. Also
that a blacksmith and assistant should be maintained at each
reservation for twenty years and as much longer as the President
should approve.
Last of all came a clause that illustrates happily the Indian
sense of justice, for old teachers say there was such a thing. The
Bois Forte Indians, off the main trail, and a withered sort of
tribe, were especially remembered. "Because of their poverty
and past neglect," as the treaty ran, they were to have $10,000
additional to pay their debts, which suggests a friend at court^
and also $10,000 for blankets, clothes, guns, nets, etc., a suitable
reservation to be selected afterward. The Indians made a better
bargain than the Algonquins made when they sold Manhattan
island for twenty-four dollars in trinkets. To be sure, the iron in
this Chippewa country was Avortli above half a billion dollars,
and the forest as much more, but they were not worth that to
the Indians who sold only their hunting and fishing usufruct to
which they had not exclusive nor undisputed right, and which in
measure they still kept, since one of the after-thoughts of the
treaty reserved to them the right to hunt and fish in the ceded
portions.
CHAPTER V.
TPIE RED MAN.
By
MISS A. E. KIDDER.
Etlmologists are slowly agreeing that the North American
Iridiaa existed on this continent before 1000 A. D., that he is of
Asiatic origin and that all the families found here are inter-related
and originally came from one source. Historical evidences are
multiplying as to the truth of these assertions. In 1615, Cham-
plain, visiting the Huron tribe of the St. Lawrence valley, drew
a map of the country which they said lay to the west of their
land. They told him of a lake called Kitchi Gummi, which he
named Grand Lac. This lake was visited by Allouez in 1666
and called Lake Tracy. Hennepin saw it in 1680 and called it
Lake Conde. Schoolcraft was upon its waters in 1819 and left
it with the title Lake Algona. It is now known as Lake Superior;
and Champlain's rough map is one of the first evidences given
to white men, not only of its existence, but of the great stretch
of land south and west of its shores, known now as the Dakotas,
Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The French explorers touched the northern belt of what is
now called the Northwest many decades before others of their
kind penetrated the land since divided into Illinois, Iowa and
Nebraska. Marquette and Joliet did not ascend the Mississippi
to the mouth of the Illinois until 1673. It was 1679 before Port
Crevecoeur Avas built on the Illinois river. The ancient white
villages of Kaskaskia, Cahoki and Prairie du Rocher were not
set on the banks of the Mississippi until after 1683. But it is
due to the honor of France that during the years of the seven-
teenth century, when England was content to upbuild her colonies
on the Atlantic coast, when Spain, by moral law, was being elimi-
nated from the northern haLC of the western continent, the fleur
de lis should be implanted in what is now the center of western
thought, western activity and agricultural development of the
United States of America. Two separate movements of Gallic
explorers — one along the shore lines of Lake Superior and west-
23
24 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRJi] COUNTY
ward to the Mississippi; the other via Lake Michigan to what has
since become the Pox, Rock and Wisconsin rivers — confronted at
the outset a remarkable group of Indian families. The dominion
of these families extended from the Platte and Missouri rivers on
the west to Lake Superior and Lake Michigan on the east; from
the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi, on the south, to
the Lake of the Woods and what is now the Canadian border, on
the north. Within this area, which amounted to nearly 480,000
square miles, or one-ninth of the total area of the United States,
to the time of the late Spanish-American War, were living about
500,000 red men. The census taker was unknown and the figures
can only be estimated from ancient memoranda and the tradi-
tions of the Indians themselves. But today, so swift are the
mutations of Time, in this same area there are living, sinew of a
great commonwealth, 12,000,000 white men and women and their
children, while of the Indians, lords of the land 250 years ago,
but 48,800 are now to be found there. Three great Indian fami-
lies occupied this Northwestern prairie and timber land when
the French first came. The most important of these, so far as
history is concerned, was the Siouan, or Sioux, composed of
twelve tribes. Second in importance M'as the family of the Al-
gonquins, composed of eleven tribes. The third, and the one to
be first extinguished in the wars waged between the trio, was
the Iroquois, who occupied the Great Lakes. All history, as to
the relation between the white men and the Northwestern Indians
during the seventeenth century, bears evidence that they acted
with much fairness toward each other. It was not until after
the advent of the English, who disputed the right to the territory
with the French, and then the incoming of the Americans, who
drove out French, English and Indians, that the record of savage
warfare begins — stained with powder and blood from the knife of
massacre. It is useless to say which was wrong. Since the for-
mation of the United States Government, the American people
have paid to the Indians an average of $1,000,000 per year for
the land taken. The Indian, in his turn, when treated with the
same honesty, the same decency, that characterizes the ordinary
relations of two white citizens, responded with a loyalty equal to
that of his white brother. Each race, as temptation came, was
treacherous, bloodthirsty, cruel. Each paid the penalty for its
wrongdoing. But that the earliest settlers recognized the Indian
as an equal is evidenced by the first treaty ever made with a tribe
(the Delawares) in which they were conceded to be citizens en-
titled to representation in Congress. Unfortunately, this good
THE RED MAN 25
intent never passed in etl'ect beyond the writing in the treaty.
The land was fair to look upon when Joliet, Marquette and Hen-
nepin came with the sign of the cross to make converts of the
aboriginals. But the narratives of the explorers into the North-
west between 1600 and 1700 contained no reference to the mar-
velous bread-giving capacity of the land they found, no hint that
a granary of the world had been found — only descriptions of
half-explored waterways, plentiful game, unfound gold and silver
and diamond mines. They were eager to take possession for the
honor of France and for the financial gain that might come to
them. Little did they know of greater blessing in the earth than
that found in silver and gold, of the rich quality of soil which
would produce luxuriant vegetation, of the water power and the
pine forests that would draw hither the might and the money of
the east for its development.
THE CHIPPEWA AND SIOUX INDIANS.
When Jean Nicolet was sent by Champlain, governor of New
France, to find the long-sought western route to China, he found
on the shores of Green Bay the Menomonies, at the head of the
bay the Winnebagoes, going on to the Fox river he met the Mas-
coutens, the warlike Sacs and Foxes, and still further west were
the Kickapoos. Along the shores of Lake Superior he found the
Chippewas, and to the southwest of these, on the St. Croix, were
the Sioux. Powell said of this tribe, "By reason of their superior
numbers the Sioux have always assumed, if not exercised, the
lordship over all the neighboring tribes with the exception of
the OjibAva (Chippewa), who, having acquired fii-earms before
the Sioux, were enabled to drive the latter from the headwaters
of the Mississippi, and were steadily pressing them westward
when stopped by the intervention of the United States Govern-
ment. In warlike character the Sioux are second only to the
Cheyenne and have an air of proud superiority rather unusual
with Indians. The Chippewas were called by the French mis-
sionaries the bravest, most warlike, and at the same time the
noblest and most manly of all the tribes. They were derived
from the Algonquin race and the Jesuits spoke of the Chippewa
language as the most refined and complete of any Indian tongue.
In 1642 the Sioux possessed all the territory south of Lake Su-
perior and west of Lakes Huron and Michigan, south as far as
Milwaukee and west even beyond the Missouri river. About 1670
the Chippewas began their inroads upon the lands of the Sioux
26 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
on the north and east, fighting their way south and west. The
Sioux struggled to retain their hunting grounds, but were finally
crowded back to the St. Croix. From that time there was unre-
mitting war between the two great nations for a century or more,
and their traditions tell of many bloody battles fought beneath
the somber pines of the north. In the Chippewa tongue, Sioux
means "the enemy." Meantime the Winnebagoes, a migratory
tribe from Mexico to escape the Spaniards, came among the Sioux,
who gave them lands and refuge. But Sacs and Foxes came
from the south, took possession of the ground and were in turn
crowded out by the Menomonies. In consequence of these preda-
tory wars, the claims of the several nations to their respective
territories became very complicated and caused incessant strife.
To prevent this as much as possible the United States Government,
in 1825, authorized a general treaty to be held at Prairie du
Chien between all tribes within a district of 500 miles each way.
This was signed on the part of the government by Generals
William Clark and Lewis Cass, on the part of the Sioux by
Wabashaw, Red Wing, Little Crow and twenty-three other chiefs
and braves, and for the Chippewas by Hole-in-the-Day and forty
chiefs. By this treaty the eastern boundary of the Sioux began
opposite the mouth of the Iowa river on the Mississippi, runs
back two or three miles to the bluffs, following the bluffs to
Bad-Axe, and crossing to Black river, from which point the
line described is the boundary between the Sioux and the Win-
nebagoes and extends nearly north to a point on the Chippewa
river, half a day's march from Chippewa Falls. From this point
on the Chippewa river, which was fixed on the mouth of Mud
creek (near Rumsey's Landing), the line becomes the boundary
between the Sioux and Chippewas and runs to the Red Cedar
just below the Falls, thence to the St. Croix river at the Stand-
ing Cedar, about a day's paddle in a canoe above the lake on
that river ; thence passing between two lakes called by the Chip-
pewas "Green Lake" and by the Sioux "the lake they bury
the eagles in," thence to the "Standing Cedar" that the Sioux
split, thence to the mouth of Rum river on the Mississippi. The
boundary line between the Chippewas and Winnebagoes was
also defined as beginning at the same point (half a day's march
below the Falls), thence to the source of the Eau Claire, thence
south to Black river, thence to a place where the woods project
into the meadows, and thence to the Plover Portage of the Wis-
consin. Thus we see that the boundaries of the Sioux, Chip-
pewas and Winnebagoes were brought to a point at the famous
THE RED MAN 27
"half a day's march below the Falls," and very near the city
of Eau Claire — in fact, at the bluff just above "little Niagara."
On July 29, 1837, a treaty was signed at Fort Snelling be-
tween Governor Dodge on the part of the government and the
Chippewa chiefs, ceding a portion of these lands to the United
States. On September 29 of the same year, at "Washington, D. C,
a treaty was signed by Joel R. Poinsett on the part of the
United States and Big Thunder and twenty other chiefs of the
Sioux, at which the latter ceded to the United States their lands
east of the Mississippi and all their islands in said river.
On October 4, 1842, at La Poiute, Robert Stewart on the
part of the United States and Po-go-ne-ge-shik, with forty other
Chippewa chiefs, held a treaty at which all the Chippewa lands
in Wisconsin were ceded to the United States. But after the
cession of the last named lands several bands of Chippewas
became dissatisfied with the treaty and with the reservation set
apart for them above Sand Lake, in Minnesota, and begged so
earnestly to come back to Wisconsin that the government, in
1854, gave them several townships and half townships of the
land on Court Oreilles and some other branches of the Chip-
pewa, and established an agency there for the distribution of
part of the annuities promised them. Guerrilla fighting had
been the common mode of settling any difference of opinion
among the tribes hitherto, but governmental interference had
accomplished much and soothing measures Avere now in vogue.
In 1841, as related by the historian Randall, "a large party of
Sioux came up by invitation of the Chippewas to Eau Claire^
where they held a friendly meeting and smoked the pipe of
peace. This was repeated in October, 1846, when 150 braves, all
mounted on ponies, came up to the Falls, thence to Chippewa
City, and held a treaty of peace with their hereditary foes.
Among them were Wabashaw, Red Bird and Big Thunder. The
writer was present, heard part of the reception address, and
afterward learned from Ambrose — one of the interpreters — the
substance of what was said on both sides. The Sioux remained
mounted on their ponies during the entire interview. The Chip-
pewa chiefs and braves were painted after the mode indicating
peace and the head chief advanced with a large red pipe, made
of stone from Pipe-stone mountain, in one hand, and in the
other a hatchet, which was thrown with such force as to partly
bury it in the earth ; then taking a whiff or two from the pipe
he turned the stem toward the Sioux chief, presenting it for his
acceptance. All this was done in silence; the Sioux chief re-
28 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
ceived the emblem of peace, also in silence, smoked a few whiffs,
bowed respectfully as he handed the pipe, reined his pony one
step to the right, and waited the next salutation, the substance
of which was, "Friends, we are glad you have come, we are
anxious to make peace with the Sioux nation. As you have seen
us throw down and bury the hatchet, so we hope you are inclined
to make peace." The Sioux chiefs then threw down whatever
arms they held and declared their purpose to maintain perma-
nent peace. They said their great father, the President, with
whom they had never been at war, had requested them to con-
clude a lasting peace with the Chippewa nation, and although
they had sold their lands on the east side of the Mississippi they
still wanted to hunt tliere, and were glad that in the future
they could do so without fear. This was all done through inter-
preters, several of whom were present on each side, and closed
every sentence they repeated with the expression, 'That's Avhat
we say.' This meeting was at the Falls and the delegation met
a still larger number of Chippewa chiefs and braves the next
day at Chippewa City, where the ceremonies were still more
imposing, and a dinner Avas served of which both parties par-
took."
After this interesting pageant of truce, a stead.y peace was
well maintained between the nations, rarely disturbed by any-
thing more than trifling quarrels soon settled by arbitration.
CHAPTER VI.
HOW EAU CLAIRE COUNTY WAS MADE.
The territory of Wisconsin was organized in the year 1836,
and comprised the present states of Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota
and parts of North Dakota, South Dakota and Michigan. This
entire area included only six full counties and parts of others,
what is now Eau Claire county forming a part of Crawford
county.
In 1845 Chippewa county was set off from Crawford county,
although the county government was not wholly perfected until
1854. In the meantime, in 1848, the territory of Wisconsin M-as
admitted as a state, its area having been reduced from time to
time until it reached its present limits.
Chippewa county as originally formed was of vast area, the
counties of Eau Claire, Buffalo, Pepin, Clark, Dunn, Barron, Bur-
nett, Washburn, Sawyer, Gates, Rusk and parts of Taylor and
Price.
On July 27, 1855, the county board of supex-visors of Chippewa
county divided the county into three towns, the southernmost
of these, which was identical in area with the present Eau Claire
county, was set off as the town of Clearwater, the first town
meeting to be held at the boarding-house of Gage & Reed. The
next town north was set off as the town of Chippewa Falls, and
the northernmost town as the town of Eagle Point. Up to this
time the name Eau Claire had not appeared in the official records
of Chippewa county, of which what is now Eau Claire county
formed a part. In this same year R. F. Wilson and W. H. Glea-
son came to Clearwater settlement, at the junction of the Chip-
pewa and Clearwater rivers. They recognized its possibilities
and soon made a deal with Gage & Reed whereby a considerable
part of what is now the east side was platted as the village of
Eau Claire. Of course the platting of this village under the name
Eau Claire could have no legal effect on the name of the town,
but it seems to have confused the town officials, as the records
show both the names Clearwater and Eau Claire for a short
period, after which, without any recorded official action, the
name Clearwater was dropped and the name Eau Claire only
29
30 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
was used. The town remained under town government only one
year, when by act of legislature approved October 6, 1856, it
Avas set off as Eau Claire county.
The town of Eau Claire was the only organized town govern-
ment in the new county, and the legislative act forming the
county stipulated that the town board of Eau Claire should can-
vass the returns of the first election of county officers and per-
form the functions of the county board until the county organi-
zation should be completed. There were but two election pre-
cincts in the entire town and county, the polling places of one
being in what is noAv the east side of the city of Eau Claire, and
the other usually at the farmhouse of Robert Scott in what is
known as Scott's Valley, in the town of Otter Creek.
The first election of county officers for the new county took
place December 30, 1856. "At an election held at Eau Claire
in the county of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, held at the house of P. N.
Drake in said village, December .30, 1856, C. M. Seley, chairman
of the board of supervisors, was present. In the absence of E. "W.
Robbins and M. A. Page, supervisors, Taylor Stevens and S. N.
"Wilcox were elected to serve as inspectors of election, and were
sworn as follows:
Opening paragraph election returns from first precinct. "At
an election held at the house of Robert Scott in the township 25,
range 7, on Tuesday, the 30th day of December, A. D. 1856, the
following inspectors were chosen viva-voce by the electors: Lor-
enzo Bennett, Robert Scott, Charles H. Hale, and were sworn
as follows:
Opening paragraph election returns from second precinct. On
the first day of January, 1857, the town board of Eau Claire, as
authorized by legislative act, met and canvassed tlie returns of
the first county election. "At a meeting of the board of super-
visors, January 1, 1857, C. M. Seley, chairman; E. W. Robbins
and Moses A. Page present, ordered that the votes of the election
of county officers be canvassed according to the act of legislature
approved October 6, 1856, who were chosen December 30, 1856.
"We, the supervisors of the town of Eau Claire, having met at the
office of Gleason & Seley, in the village of Eau Claire, on the first
day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight
hundred and fifty-seven, pursuant to the act for organizing the
county of Eau Claire approved October sixth, one thousand eight
hundred and fifty-six, to estimate and determine the number of
votes given for the several officers provided for by the said act
at the official election held on the last Tuesday of December, one
HOW EAU CLAIRE COUNTY WAS MADE 31
thousand eight liundred and fifty-six, as provided by said act
do determine and declare as follows:
"That the whole number of votes cast for the office of clerk of
court was one hundred ninety-one, of which George Olin re-
ceived one hundred eighteen and J. H. Duncan received seventy-
three. Sheriff, Moses A. Page 188, M. M. Reed 54. Register of
deeds, Charles H. Howard 114, R. F. Wilson 76. District attor-
ney, B. U. Strong 189. Clerk of board of supervisors, Charles T.
Babcock 120, George Olin 68, scattering 2. County treasurer,
Adin Randall 130, T. B. Medlar 58. Coroner, George Sprague 191.
County surveyor, J. B. Randall 135, Benjamin Hadley 56. County
judge, Ira Mead 129, J. S. Cook 59, scattering 2.
"Report of canvassing board first election county officers."
As there was still but one town in the new county, the town
board continued to perform the functions of a county board until
a sufficient number of towns should be formed to allow the super-
visors of such towns to comprise a county board in the usual man-
ner. Action to this end was taken M'ithout delay. On the second
day of January, 1857, the day following the canvass of votes for
county officers, the town board of Eau Claire, acting in its capac-
ity as county board, set off the town of Half Moon Lake. This
comprised all territory in the county west and north of the Chip-
pewa river, or the present west side of the city of Eau Claire
and the town of Union. On February 24, the towns of Bi-idge
Creek and Brunswick Avere formed and the three new towns held
their first election in April of that year. On November 16, the
chairman of the town boards of Eau Claire, Half Moon Lake,
Bridge Creek and Brunswick organized as a county board of
supervisors, after which the town board of Eau Claire ceased to
perform the functions of county board.
In March, 18a8, the county board changed the name of the
town of Half Moon Lake to Half Moon. On the fourth of Decem-
ber of that year a resolution was passed setting off' a town to be
called Machas, but later in the same day the name was changed
to Pleasant Valley. The town North Eau Claire was formed
in March, 1857.
In November, 1860, all that part of the town of Half Moon
lying north of an east and west quarter section line running a
few rods south of the present county courthouse and directly
through the site of the present high school building was set off
imder the name of Oak Grove. The part south of this line be-
came the town of West Eau Claire. Later in the same month
the town of Fall Creek was formed. After a few years the town
32 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
name was changed to Lincoln, the village only retaining the name
of Fall Creek. The town of Otter Creek was set off in April,
1867, the town of Washington in January, 1868, and the town
of Seymour in March, 1872.
The state legislature having in March, 1872, granted a charter
forming the city of Eau Claire, with its present boundaries, the
parts of the towns of West Eau Claire and Oak Grove lying be-
tween the new city of Eau Claire and the Dunn county line were
by act of the board of supervisors in March, 1872, voted to be
formed into a new town to be called the town of Randall. On
the twentieth of the same mouth, two petitions from residents
of this proposed new town were received by the county board.
A petition from that part formerly in Oak Grove asked that the
action of the board uniting these two parts of towns be rescinded,
and a petition from the part formerly in West Eau Claire in
opposition to same. The board refused to rescind its former
action uniting these two parts of towns, but did pass a resolu-
tion changing the name from the town of Randall to the town
of Union.
In November, 1873, the southern part of the town of Briuis-
wick was set off under the name Lant. This name was later
changed to Dramraen. In March, 1874, the town of Fairchild
was formed; in April, 1876, the town of Ludington, and in 1882,
the town of Clear Creek.
Augusta was incorporated as a village in 1864 and received
a city charter in 1885. Altoona, which was formerly a part of
the town of Wasliington, was platted as a village in 1881, Avith
the name East Eau Claire. This was later changed to Altoona,
and in 1887 it was granted a city charter, having the distinction
of being one of the smallest, if not the smallest, city in the United
States. The village of Fairchild was incorporated May 6, 1880.
Although of considerable size. Fall Creek remained under the
government of the town of Lincoln until 1907, when it was incor-
porated as a separate village.
CHAPTER VII.
TOWNSHIPS.
BRIDGE CREEK.
By
FRANK L. CLARK.
In the early days ere history was written, the water of
Bridge creek babbled on to the sea. It is not even written how
long it had babbled when men and women came to make the
country through which it flowed fit for their habitation. Geolo-
gists have told us that it marks the southern extremity of the
vast area of that first formation that arose out of the chaos of
the waters that covered the earth ere the sun or the moon obeyed
the creative behest: "Let there be light." But whatever the
geologists may tell us, or whatever the philosophers may reveal
unto us is not of particular interest to us just now, and was
of much less interest to those sturdy i:)ioneers who came to
establish a civilization and realize the fruition of a bountiful
promise.
When Eau Claire county was organized by an act of the legis-
lature in 1856, there were but few settlers in the eastern part
thereof. Probably the first settler was Andrew Thompson, who
came, it is said, iu 1854, and settled and built a house on what was
later Henry Brown's pasture in Otter creek. The valley was
named Thompson valley. If he came in 1854, he was here at least
a year, perhaps more, before the coming of others. In 1856 when
the county was organized, Charles Hale, L. D. McCauley and J. A.
Bride had settled in what has since been known as Scott's val-
ley; Lorenzo and William Bennett and Charles and Scribner
Chadbourne had located in Thompson valley ; George Diamond had
settled on the Diamond farm in Diamond valley, and a little
bunch of pioneers, James Woodbury, E. L. Hull, William Young
and perhaps a few more, had settled near where the village of
Augusta was soon to be. These, together with the first settlers
in Augusta, Charles Buckman, S. E. Bills, John P. Stone and
a few more, constituted at that time the population of the town
of Bridge Creek.
33
34 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
When Eau Claire county was organized there was quitt' a
settlement at Eau Claire, and the act of the legislature wliiuh
created the county provided that the government of the county
should be vested in the town board until the next annual town
meeting. The county was divided into the towns of Half Moon,
Brunswick and Bridge Creek. The town of Bridge Creek com-
prised nearly all the east half of the county, or, to be more par-
ticular, what is now the towns of Fairchild, Bridge Creek, Lud-
ington, Otter Creek and Clear Creek.
The first town meeting was held at the house of William
Young, just east of the schoolhouse on Main street, Augusta. The
date of the town meeting was April 7, 1857. The officers elected
were as follows:
Supervisors, William Young, chairman ; L. Bennett and Joseph
Sargent, sideboard. Clerk, J. C. Ilackett. Treasurer, James Mc-
Cauley. Assessor, Charles Buckman. Justices, L. M. Underwood,
J. F. Stone, S. E. Bills and R. E. Scott. Constables, William
Buck, Anas Brown and W. A. Bennett. Sealer of weights and
measures, John A. Bride.
The voters adopted a resolution to appropriate the sum of
$150.00 for roads and bridges, and $150.00 for schools. A resolu-
tion was also adopted providing that "hogs shall not be allowed
to run at large, or that hogs shall not be considered free com-
moners." It was ordered that notices of the adoption of this
resolution be "duly posted according to law." The four justices
of the peace elected "drew lots" for the one-year and two-year
terms, and Messrs. Stone and Underwood got the long term and
Messrs. Scott and Bills had to take the short term. And so the
town of Bridge Creek was organized and officered. It was a big
town and but sparsely settled. What is now the town of Luding-
ton was an unsettled wilderness ; the three eastern townships
were little better. The southeast portion of the town was a roll-
ing country of a rich sandy loam soil and covered with a low
growth of oak. It was well watered and has since developed into
the finest farm country in the Northwest. The heavy pine that
covered the timbered portion of the town, and much of the hard-
. wood, has since been cut off and many good lands have been
opened. There is still much good land, however, that has not
been broken and there is yet room for many more good farms.
The second annual town meeting was held April 6, 1858.
J. E. Perkins was elected chairman of the town board, and Jose-
phus Livermore and James Sargent, supervisors. J. C. Hackett
was elected clerk, L. Bennett, treasurer, and Charles Buckman,
TOWNSHIPS 35
assessor. The sum of !i>400 was voted for incidental expenses;
$100 for roads and bridges, and $200 for sehools. A resolution
was adopted to prevent the running at large of calves under one
year old, and also geese ; the former under a penalty of 50 cents
for the first otfense and $1.00 for every subsequent offense. Tlie
penalty for geese was 25 cents for the first oft'ense, and 50 cents
for all subsequent offenses. It was also discovered that the reso-
lution of 1857 relating to hogs was without a penalty clause, and
the matter was remedied by making the penalty $5.00 for the
first offense and $10.00 for offenses thereafter. These resolutions
were "posted according to law." jL19S6I2^
July 4, 1857, the first fourth of .luly celebration in the town
was held at the farm of Simon Kaudall. He had bought the
William Young place and the people gathered there and had a
regular old-fashioned good time. In the evening they had a
dance and Alfred Bolton played the fiddle. Allen Randall was a
little fellow at that time, five years old, and he had a regular
Buster Brown of a time. That celebration and that dance were
the first events in the social life of Augusta and Bridge Creek,
and for years thereafter the spirit of fellowship and good will
grew and the social life was of that wliolesome kind, unmarred
by class distinctions that prevails when tlie people live near to
Nature's heart. There Avas no fol-de-rol, no nonsensical tommy-
rot, nor any of that superior culture that marks the upper
stratum of the modern social life. The people were hearty in
those days, good-souled, and between the hours of toil had sense
enough to have a good time.
At the town meeting in the spring of 1859 the old officers
were all re-elected, and the town records do not disclose that
anything of special interest was done.
The town meeting in 1860 resulted in the election of Harris
Searl as chairman and Josephus Livermore and Charles Hale as
supervisors; C. W. Warren was elected clerk, J. C. Smith, treas-
urer, and Charles Bvickman, assessor. Mr. Smith refused to
qualify as treasurer and the board appointed Charles Buckman
in his place and then appointed J. C. Hackett as assessor, the
office to which Mr. Buckman had been elected. The bond of Mr.
Buckman as treasurer was $3,200. The first bills audited by the
town board that are of record were those of J. C. Hackett for
clerk, salary $32.33, and H. C. Putnam for surveying, $3.50. These
claims were audited and paid in June, 1860. At the town meet-
ing that year R. E. Scott made a motion that a committee be
appointed to investigate the doings of the town officers since its
36 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
organization. There is no record that the committee ever made
a report. The total amount of claims paid and town orders
issued was $672.60. The accounts were audited and the orders
cancelled by the board of audit March 26, 1861. The record also
discloses the fact that William Young was elected superintend-
ent of schools at the town meeting in 1860. Just what his duties
were the writes does not understand, but they were probably
similar to those of the county superintendent of schools at the
present time.
In 1861 the old board Avas re-elected with William Maas as
clerk, Charles Buckmau, treasurer, and J. C. Smith and S. W.
Crockett as assessors. The town was too big for one assessor,
and so they elected two. Both of the assessors refused to qualify,
however, and C. W. Chadbourne and J. M. Woodbury were ap-
pointed in their stead. The total amount of orders drawn for
incidental expenses that year was $481.94.
. The result of the election in 1862 was the choice of Josephus
Liverraore as chairman, C. H. Hale and Orriu C. Hall, super-
visors; Harris Searl, clerk; Charles Buckman, treasurer, and R.
E. Scott, assessor. A committee consisting of Messrs. F. Dighton,
Peter Lundeville and William Young was appointed by the voters
at the town meeting to look into certain doings of the town board.
The committee made the investigation during the day, and before
the meeting adjourned brought in two reports. The majority
report was by Messrs. Dighton and Lundeville in effect that the
board had an undoubted right to purchase a map. Mr. Young
made the minority report which declared that $25.00 for a map
is unnecessary in these times of high taxes. The majority report
Avas adopted by the electors. The total vote volled at the election
was 75. A tax of five mills was levied for highAvay purposes.
The war Avas on and the country Avas calling for brave men to
come to the front and offer their lives upon the altar of their
country. The call Avas not unheeded, even among the little band
of pioneers of Bridge Creek. On September 5 Supervisor Hale
and Treasurer Buckman resigned their offices to take up arms in
defence of liberty, and Messrs. James Sargent and li. Blair Avere
appointed to the respective positions. On September 19 Orrin
C. Hall resigned as supervisor and Daniel Russell was appointed
in his stead. He went to the war and never returned. J. L. Ball
also resigned as justice of the peace, and M. B. Riekard Avas
chosen at a special election to take his place. Thus the toAvn
of Bridge Creek Avas organized, and had already assumed au
importance as an economic, political factor in the history of
TOWNSHIPS 37
northern Wisconsin. In fact, when Governor Barstow, in 1856,
wanted a few hundred votes to re-elect him, they were forthcom-
ing from Bridge Creek, even though there were not twenty-five
people in the town. The game worked for a short time, but the
courts took the matter in hand and Barstow gave up the execu-
tive office in compliance with the judicial determination.
These were strenuous years in Bridge Creek. The flower of
the young manhood went to the war; the country was new and
taxes were high. On March 3, 1864, a special town meeting was
called to vote upon a proposition to raise $5,000 to pay bounties
to the volunteers and men drafted to fill the quota called for by
President Lincoln. There were 50 votes cast on the proposition,
all in the affirmative. A resolution was passed directing the
clerk to draw orders on the fund as the claims were allowed.
Anotlier special town meeting was held and $4,000 was appropri-
ated for the same purpose. There were 48 votes cast, of which
47 were for the appropriation and 1 against. February 25, 1865,
another special meeting voted $1,000, and March 25 $2,000 more
was voted. These various funds were largely made up by per-
sonal subscriptions, thus avoiding the necessity of a tax levy.
To raise so large a sum of money, $12,000, among a people where
50 votes was the entire voting population, was a task of no mean
proportions, but it was done and out of the effort the people came
forth unscorched by the fires of distress and ready to bear still
greater burdens.
In 1867 the town of Otter Creek was organized and set off
from Bridge Creek. It comprised what is now the towns of
Otter Creek and Clear Creek. In the division of the town funds
after all debts had been paid Otter Creek had $232.94, and
Bridge Creek had $412.18.
Meanwhile the village of Augusta had grown, and there were
those who had an idea that there should be provided places
where booze might be purchased. In conformity with this idea
G. J. Hardy made application to the town board. The application
was favorably acted upon and the license to sell spirituous and
malt liquors was granted. The license fee M-as fixed at $75.00.
Soon thereafter Ren Halstead and H. S. Baldwin were granted
a license for the same purpose at the same time. Later it was
discovered that the license fee as fixed by the town board was
excessive, and it was reduced to $20. In 1870 the fee was again
raised to $75.00. In 1873, June 24, a special town meeting was
called to vote $2,500 to build a bridge across the Eau Claire river
where the main river bridge now is. The proposition was de-
38 HISTORY OP^ EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
feated by a vote of 66 to 16. This was about the voting strength
of the town at that time. In 1877 the towns of Ludington and
Fairchild were organized and set off from Bridge Creek. The
village of Augusta was organized and set off in 1883. This left
Bridge Creek with less than three townships.
In the eai'ly days nearly all of the northern and eastern por-
tions of the town were covered by forests and these were watered
by numerous small streams, tributaries to the Eau Claire river.
Game and fish abounded and the territory was the paradise of
the hunter and the fisherman. The southern and western portions
of the town as it originally was and as it is now presents a pros-
pect that to the agriculturist is a dream of pure delight.
The original population was mostly of Yankee descent, but
since the war the Germans have come, and with their industry
and persistence have practically possessed the land. Dairying
and diversified farming is the principal occupation of the people,
who are earnest, honest and industrious, and nowhere in the
world can be found a more patriotic people.
Brunswick Township, which contains about thirty-six square
miles, was formed in 1857, and is bounded irregularly on the
north by the Chippewa river, which divides it from the town of
Union; on the south by the town of Drammen, on the east by the
towns of Washington and Pleasant Valley, and on the west b.y
Dunn county. Besides being abundantly watered by the Chip-
pewa river at its northern extremity, the town is intercepted by
Taylor's, West and Coon creeks. It had a population according
to the census returns of 1910 of 706. Porter's Mills were the only
manufacturing industries of this township. This was formerly
called Porterville and was surveyed and platted with that name
in the fall of 1883. It had a station on the Chippewa Valley
division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway, described
as "Porter's Mills." Among the early settlers in close proximity
to it were Nelson Cooley, in 1855, and Washington Churchill, in
1856. This location was selected as the site for a sawmill in
1863 by Charles Warner, who began the erection of a structure
of this description. It was completed in the following year by
Messrs. Porter, Brown and Meredith. The capacity of the mill
was then 20,000 feet a day of twelve hours. It was burned down
in October, 1866, and rebuilt by Gilbert E. Porter and D.. R.
Moon during the following winter, and its capacity increased to
40,000 feet. The business was carried on under the firm name of
Porter & Moon, and in 1869 the capacity of the mill was again
increased with an output of 60,000 feet per day. When the first
TOWNSII rPS 39
mill was started in 1865 there was only one house at this place.
It was occupied by the few men then required to run the busi-
ness. According to the census returns for 1890 the population
of the village was 1,194. There was no industry here other than
those controlled by this company. A Scandinavian Lutheran
frame church was erected and dedicated in 1889, and a tine school
house was built.
Fairchild Township was formed in 1874, and is identical in
size and sliape with one of government survey. It is bovinded
on the north by the town of Bridge Creek, on the south by
Jackson county, on the east by Clark county, and on the west
by the town of Bridge Creek. It is watered by Coon and Bridge
creeks and their tributaries. Its business center is the village
of the same name, which is located in the extreme southeast
corner of the county and the township, and was settled in 1868,
about the time when the then West Wisconsin railway was con-
structing its roadbed. The land at this time was covered with
a low growth of bushes, but is now made into fine farms and
country homes. One of the first settlers there was Mr. Yan-
Auken, who built the first steam sawmill and sold it to another
earl.y settler, G. S. Graves, in 1870. It was twice burned down,
the second time in 1874, and was not rebuilt.
Lincoln Township is irregular in line on the north. Its great-
est length from north to south is nine miles, while the distance
from east to west is eight miles. It contains a fraction over
sixty square miles and is settled chiefly by an agricultural com-
munity. It is bounded on the north by the towns of Seymour
and Ludington, on the south by the towns of Clear Creek and
Otter Creek, on the east by Ludington and Bridge Creek, and
on the west by the town of Washington. The Eau Claire river
runs through the towns from northeast to northwest, and it is
also watered by the tributaries, Fall and Bear's Grass creeks.
According to the census of 1910 it had a population of 1,189.
Otter Creek Township, which contains sixty-six square miles,
with a population, according to the census of 1910, of 703, Avas
set off in April, 1867. It is bounded on the north by the town
of Lincoln, on the south by Trempealeau county, on the east by
the town of Bridge Creek and on the west by the town of Clear
Creek. The upper portion of the town is watered by Otter,
Bear's Grass and Thompson's creeks. The nearest shipping point
is Augusta, which is eleven miles distant. This town is essen-
tially agricultural and lias splendid farms owned by a thrifty
people.
40 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Pleasant Valley Township was set off in 1858 and first given
the name of Machas, which was afterwai'ds changed by the county
board to its present name. It is principally a farming country
with good land and prosperous people. It contains fifty-four
square miles, and is oblong in shape, being six miles wide from
east to west, and nine miles long from north to south. The water
supply is ample, Low's creek, Pine and Clear creeks intersecting
the country in almost every direction. Fine homes and farms
are to be found here and happiness and prosperity abound.
Washington Township is rectangular in shape, but irregular
in outline and contains sixty-six square miles. It was set off
in January, 1866, and is bounded on the north by the city of
Eau Claire and the town of Seymour, on the south by the towns
of Clear Creek and Otter Creek, on the east by the town of
Lincoln and on the west by the city of Eau Claire and the town
of Brunswick. Otter creek runs through the town from the
extreme southeast to the extreme northwest, and Low's creek
waters the western portion of it. It has a population, according to
the census returns of 1910, of 1,489, exclusive of the city of
Altoona, which has 824. This place was originally East Eau
Claire, and was surveyed and platted as a village with that name,
in September, 1881. It was afterwards changed to Altoona, and
incorporated as a city in 1887. It is located on the Eau Claire
river and Otter creek and is distant four miles east from the
city of Eau Claire. There were only two houses here in 1882
when the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha railway
selected it as the site for machine shops and the roundhouse.
As these buildings were constructed the population rapidly
increased, and in the Pall of that year at least a dozen habitations
had been erected. In the following year hotels, stores and resi-
dences went up in all directions. A postoffice was established, a
union frame church was erected in 1884 and the graded school
house with three departments.
Since 1884 Altoona has experienced a steady and prosperous
growth ; new people have come in, churches of all denominations
have been established; improved schools have been erected, and
while it may be stjded one of the smallest cities in the United
States, it is nevertheless a hustling business place which prom-
ises to improve with rapidity with the addition of its transporta-
tion facilities of the interurban railway line from Eau Claire,
which has recently been completed. Originally what is now the
Omaha Railway Company, in 1880 deemed it essential to locate
a division point at some place nearly equidistant between Saint
TOWNSHIPS 41
Paul and Elroy. They were urged to make that point Eau Claire.
This they claimed they could not do, as it would make the eastern
division much longer than the western. They had purchased
the land necessary at Fall Creek and had commenced operations.
The citizens of Eau Claire realized that this was detrimental to
its prosperity. W. F. Bailey took the matter up with Mr. Porter,
president of the road, the latter agreeing if a suitable place hav-
ing a half mile of level track was nearer Eau Claire, and other
conditions suitable, he would consider a proposition to locate
the division there. Mr. Johnson, the company's engineer, and
Mr. Bailey went over the line and place where Altoona is located
and found suitable. If an abundance of a suitable water could
be found and the city of Eau Claire would grade the yards Mr.
Porter agreed to locate there. Water was found, the city pay-
ing the expense. Subsequently it was agreed that the company
would grade the j-ard, the city paying in lieu of grading $2,000.
Clear Creek Township was organized in 1882, and is strictly
agricultural. It contains thirty-six square miles and is bounded
on the north by the towns of Washington and Lincoln, on the
south by Trempealeu county, on the east by the town of Otter
Creek and on the west by Pleasant Valley. The northern half
is watered by Clear, Bear's and Otter creeks; its popidation,
according to the census returns of 1910, are 728.
Drammen Township is identical in size and shape with a
township of government survey. It is bounded on the north by
the town of Brunswick, on the south by Buffalo county, on the
east by the town of Pleasant Valley, and on the Avest by Pepin
county. In 1873 this town was set off from Brunswick imder
the name of Lant, which was afterwards changed to its present
name of Drammen. The water supply is furnished by Rock and
Hoyt's creeks and their tributaries. Its population for 1910
was 869.
Ludington Township is sixteen miles in length from east to
west, six miles in Avidth and contains 96 square miles, with a
population for 1910 of 989. It is bounded on the north by Chip-
pewa county, on the south by the towns of Lincoln and Bridge
Creek, on the east by Clark county and on the west by Seymour
and Lincoln. It is well watered by the north fork of the Eau
Claire river aud Twelve Mile Pine, Sand, Hay and Muskrat
creeks. ' It is stocked with an abundance of hard wood, and in
its west center is located the great maple sugar district.
Seymour Township is about twelve miles long and three wide,
containing thirty-six square miles. It is bounded on the north
42 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
by Chippewa county, on the south by the towns of Washington
and Lincoln, on the east by the town of Ludington and on the
west by the city of Eau Claire. The Eau Claire river runs nearly
the whole length of the farther extremity of the town, and other
portions of it are intersected by the river's tributaries. Its popu-
lation in 1910 was 588.
Union Township was first laid out as the town of Randall,
but afterward changed to Union. It has thirty-four square miles,
a little less than a regular township, with a population in 1910
of 1,090. It is bounded on the north by Chippewa county, on
the south by the town of Brunswick (the Chippewa river dividing
the two towns), on the east by the city of Eau Claire and on the
west by Dunn county. Truax is a station on the Chicago, St. Paul,
Minneapolis & Omaha railway four and one-half miles north-
west of Eau Claire. The Eau Claire county poor farm and
asylum is located in this town, which contains many fine farms
and farm buildings.
CHAPTER VIII.
FRUITS AND BERRIES.
Prof. Fi-t'deric Craiiefield. secretary of the Wisconsin State
Iloi-ticultiual Society at Madison said in an interview regarding
the jiossibilities of Wisconsin as a fruit raising state: "What
about Wisconsin? Wisconsin is a good fruit state; quite as good
as anj- other state and far better than many. Give the right
kind of a man the right kind of land — we have millions of acres
of it in Wisconsin — the right kinds of fruits and as much money
may be made in fruit raising in Wisconsin as in any other place
in the United States. Don't go M-est, young man! Stay at home
and grow up with the country. Even if you have only a little
money, good horse sense, plenty of ambition, a stout heart, hard-
ened muscles and a clever wife stay in Wisconsin — we need you.
"With a capital of $5,000 a splendid fruit farm may be devel-
oped in Wisconsin that will yield in ten years an annual income
equal to the original investment. If this sum is not available
$2,000 will answer, and if that is too much $1,000 and fair credit
will place a beginning on a safe business foundation. A young
man full of energy without a dollar can make a start by working
for others and learning the industry, and before middle age own
a business that will yield him a competent income for the rest of
his days. We have men in Wisconsin who have done it.
"After making a tliorough research and scientific study of
the soil and climate of Wisconsin we are sure of our facts when
we make the statement that these conditions are as favorable
for the raising of small fruits, apples and cherries on a commer-
cial or market basis as in Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, or
any other central or western state.
"In many respects, as markets, high color of fruit and free-
dom from frost, the conditions are more favorable than in any of
the states named. Taking into consideration the amount of cap-
ital required, the raising of apples or cherries in Wisconsin is
as profitable as in any other state east or west. To illustrate
this statement I will call attention to one upper Wisconsin county
in particular. After ten years of careful observation I am well
satisfied that Door county offers exceptional opportunities for
4-i
44 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
fruit growing, particularly for the raising of sour cherries and
apples. After a careful investigation of the returns from fruit
growing in different parts of the United States I am well con-
vinced that the net profits earned by several of the cherry
orchards in the vicinity of Sturgeon Bay during the past ten
years are greater than can be shown by any other areas of similar
extent devoted to fruits of any kind anywhere in the United
States.
"Land can be bought in Wisconsin, an orchard planted and
brought to profitable bearing age for one-fourth to one-half the
price asked for western irrigated orchard tracts. The cost of
transportation from Oregon to New York on a carload of apples
is about the same as ten acres of good fruit land in Wisconsin.
"Another thing, the Wisconsin fruit grower is within easy
reach of one-third of the entire population of the United States.
Only a few hundred carloads of strawberries of 300 bushels each
are shipped out of Wisconsin each year, just about enough to
make one good shortcake for Chicago. Strawberries bear one
year after planting and yield 4,000 to 6,000 quarts per acre. No
state in the Union can produce better strawberries than Wis-
consin or furnish cheaper land adapted to their growth.
"Raspberries, blackberries, currants and gooseberries all
thrive in every part of the state and are money makers. Two
to four hundred dollars an acre may be made from berries.
Grapes are raised in the southern counties and always bring a
good price on local markets. A good crop of Concord or Moore's
Early will bring $250 an acre. Wisconsin is pre-eminently an
apple state. In size, color, qualitj^ and productiveness Wisconsin,
Duchess, Wealthy and McMahan cannot be equaled. Early
apples always find a ready market at good prices, and the money
is in the grower's pocket long before the winter apples of other
states are harvested, and with no storage charges to pay.
"A ten-year apple orchard, if properly handled, will yield
an annual average income of $250 to $300 per acre. We have
records of $1,400 per acre for a single crop. Where? Almost
anywhere in the state. There are but few sections in Wisconsin
wholly unsuited to fruit raising, in fact, berries and all small
fruits may be grown successfully in any county in the state.
Concerning apples and cherries, certain sections are much better
than others. This is true of other crops and of fruits in every
other state. Fruit raising anywhere is not unlike any other busi-
ness enterprise. Capital, common sense, energy, determination
and close application to details are all quite as essential in fruit
FRUITS AND BERRIES 45
raising as in any other commercial enterpi'ise. It is the "man
behind the tree that counts."
APPLE INDUSTRY.
A great many years ago attempts were made iu some portions
of the county to raise apples with some measure of success, but
the farmers of that period did not have the advantage which
those of this day have iu the benefit of scientific learning and
instruction from the agricultural college in connection with the
university, which has investigated all sorts of subjects Avhich
are related to agriculture in any way, and a great deal of atten-
tion has been paid to the subject of apple raising, and as to
whether or not the soil and climate conditions iu this part of the
state will permit of apples being raised on a large scale. In the
earlier days alluded to, occasionally was found a small orchard
which was planted by some farmer and just allowed to grow
witliout any particular attention, except that in some instances
the science of grafting was gone into when, perhaps, some man
who had been familiar with the growing of apples in some eastern
state knew the method of grafting apple trees; but in no
locality iu the county was a determined effort made to raise
apples as a commercial proposition, although many varieties
were in fact raised of good quality and flavor, but with the lack
of attention these little orchards gradually went into decay and
the trees died off, more for the want of proper care and attention
than on account of any conditions in the soil or climate.
"With the awakening all along the line in agricultural sub-
jects has come a movement in this county in the last few years
to experiment with the growing of apple orchards, and with the
great assistance which has been rendered by the agricultural
department of the university, and also the officials of the State
Horticultural Society, we are able in this chapter to record the
result of experiments which prove beyond any question that
within the limits of Eau Claire county there is just as good
fruit lands as can be found anywhere in the United States for
the raising of certain varieties of apples. For the year 1912
there were two hundred and twenty acres of orchard iu the
county, containing 12,043 growing apple trees, which produced
10,300 bushels of apples.
To illustrate what may be accomplished in the raising of fruit
in Wisconsin we quote from statistics which show what one man
did iu one of the nearby counties, that of Monroe :
46 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
"If anything else was needed to establish beyond any qiiestion
that apple growing in this part of Wisconsin can be successfully
accomplished, and not only apples, but grapes, plums and cher-
ries, it has been most conclusively furnished in the results accom-
plished by J. W. Leverich at his fruit farm in the town of Angelo,
Monroe county. Mr. Leverich, who now is acknowledged one of
the authorities on small fruits, started in 1904 an experimental
orchard of five acres, which he planted in May of that year. In
order to demonstrate to his own satisfaction whether these fruits,
apples, grapes and cherries could be successfully raised if handled
scientifically, his trees were selected with the greatest care and
planted upon a piece of land which was carefully selected for the
purpose, and his long experience in small fruit raising gave him
the knowledge necessary to select the particular land which he
did for this orchard. The tract is protected on the north and
west by growing timber from the winds; to the south and east
are hills which protect the trees from wind blowing from that
direction. There are sixteen rows of fruit trees and two rows
of grapes. The trees are set twenty-two in a row. and the two
rows of grapes about four hundred feet in lengtli each, in which
there are seven distinct varieties.
"At the time of setting this five-acre tract into an orchard in
the spring of 1904, Mr. Leverich placed between the rows of trees
either raspberries, red raspberries or blackberry brush. These
berry brush have been thoroughly cultivated and cared for, as
the trees and vines of the orchard were, and as a consequence
there has been a crop of berries each year commencing with 1905.
In 1906 the first returns from the orchard proper were secured,
being ten baskets of grapes. The plum trees commenced bearing
in 1907, and the apples in 1908, while the first cherries were
secured in 1911. and it is the opinion of Mr. Leverich that this
locality in the town of Angelo is not adapted to the culture of
cherries. But his experiment has demonstrated beyond a doubt
that the valley soil of Monroe county, as well as the ridges, is
suitable and just as well adapted naturally for the culture of
fruits as the ridge lands. It only needs the intelligence, industry
and perseverance, which are, of course, all necessary in an indus-
try of this character to put into a paying proposition an orchard
bearing apples, plums and grapes. During the fall season of
1911 Mr. Leverich exhibited in one or two store windows in the
city of Sparta baskets containing the varieties of fruit and grapes
raised in this orchard, and they made a tempting picture indeed.
We have here the record which was kept by him from tlie time
FRUITS AND BERRIES 47
beginning with the planting of tlie oreliard up until the market
of 1911, showing in detail the number of baskets, cases or bushels,
as the case may be, of fruit which was raised upon this five-acre
tract of land from May, 1904, up to and including the crop of
1911, giving the total amount realized upon the entire tract:
BLACKBERRIES.
"1905, 24 cases, $1.19 per case, $28.56; 1906, 152 cases, $1.47
per case, $223.44; 1907, 207 eases, $1.67 per case, $405.69; 1908,
288 cases, $1.59 per ease, $557.92 ; 1909, 239 cases, $1.54 per case,
$368.06; 1910, 124 cases, $1.93 per ease, $239.32; 1911, 155 cases,
$1.64 per case, $254.20. Total, 1,190 cases; total, $2,231.86.
BLACK RASPBERRIES.
"1905, 54 eases, $1.21 per ease, $65.34; 1906, 421 eases, $1.46
per case, $614.66 ; 1907, 305 cases, $1.60 per case. $488 ; 1908, 235
cases, $1.89 per case, $445.25 ; 1909, 145 cases, $2.05 per case,
$297.25; 1910, 76 cases, $1.95 per case, $148.20; 1911, 111 cases,
$1.56 per case, $173.16. Total, 1,342 cases; total, $2,231.86.
RED RASPBERRIES.
"1905, 10 cases, $1.21 per case, $12.10; 1906, 154 cases, $1.47
per ease, $226.38; 1907, 125 cases, $1.68 per ease, $200; 1908, 215
cases, $1.75 per case, $376.25 ; 1909, 54 cases, $1.85 per case,
.$99.90; 1910, 10 cases, $1.98 per case, $19.80. Total, 568 cases;
total, $934.43.
GRAPES.
"1906, 10 baskets; 1907, 110 baskets; 1908, 200 baskets; 1909,
20 baskets; 1910, 10 baskets; 1911, 175 baskets. Total, 505 bas-
kets, at 25 cents per basket, $126.25.
"Cherries — 20 cases, $1..50 per case, $30.
"Apples— 1908, 5 bushels; 1909, 10 bushels; 1911, 75 bushels.
Total, 90 bushels, at 75 cents per bushel, $67.50.
"Plums— 1907, 5 cases; 1908, 30 eases; 1909, 50 cases; 1911,
130 cases. Total, 215 cases, $1.25 per case, $268.75. Plants sold,
$500. Grand total, $6,235.98."
These figures are for cases of twenty-four pints each of black-
berries and blaek and red raspberries, and sixteen quarts of plums
and cherries.
48 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
The conditions of Monroe county are not much different from
those of Eau Claire, the soil with few exceptions is much the
same, except that in places, if anything, Monroe county has more
sand. The farm from which the above figures were obtained is
located in a valley where the soil is largely composed of sand.
In Eau Claire county for many years has been raised small fruit,
especially berries, but it is not until recently that apples have been
raised in any quantities. In 1912 there were eighty-three acres
given to the strawberry plant, from which 3,626 bushels of berries
were gathered, and the same year 1,222 bushels of raspberries
were produced from forty-seven acres and 1,030 bushels of black-
berries were gathered from twenty-eight acres. Sis acres set to
currant bushes yielded one hundred and thirty bushels, and the
grapes produced amounted to eleven bushels, and from three
acres one hundred bushels of cranberries were marketed.
CHAPTER IX.
AGRICULTURE AND DAIRYING.
Since the organization of Eau Claire county, in 1856, when
the country was densely covered with a heavy growth of timber,
rapid strides have been made in agricultural pursuits. "Where
once stood the great forests of pine and hard timber, long since
brought in contact with the woodman's axe, fine farms and ele-
gant homes now abound. When the first settlers reached Eau
Claire county and observed the immensity of the forest some of
them little thought that only a few short years would elapse be-
fore the county would become one of the leading counties rich in
agriculture. Others of the pioneers who came to make a home
for themselves and families set to work cleai-ing the land, erect-
ing buildings, and otherwise improving the land, so that now,
where the wild beasts once roamed at their leisure the soil is
made to blossom like the rose.
The soil for the most part is a rich clay and sandy loam, with
here and there in some parts of the county a little sand, which
in later years has been made to produce abundant crops. The
county is especially favored with a bountiful water supply nearly
everywhere, for in most every direction there are creeks and
small sti-eams.
It is the writer's firm belief that there is no territory in the
country of equal size that has produced more net profit per acre
than has the soil of Eau Claire county for the length of time
that it has been under cultivation. The products of this county
and their aggregate value are increasing with each succeeding
decade, as will be shown by the comparative tables which are
here submitted. At the time of the first settlers in Eau Claire
who engaged in farming wheat was the principal or staple crop
grown, the soil being new and containing all of the elements
necessary to produce large yields, but as the years went on and
the continued cropping of the ground exhausted the greater part
of the phosphates, and the nitrogenous compounds that are so
abundantly essential to the production of grain. The result was
diminished yields. This, combined with low prices, which ruled
for a number of years, and the competition of the great wheat
49
50 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
belt of the west and northwest, compelled the farmers to adopt
different methods of farming. This course they pursued, so that
at this time, while there is quite an acreage of wheat sown yearly,
the yield is diminishing. Corn, oats, rye and barley yield large
crops, while the sugar beet in some localities is raised success-
fully. Where stock raising, dairying and clover predominates
the fertility of the land is sustained and is yearly growing better
under the skillful management of the Eau Claire county farmer.
The cultivation of the sugar beet and the manufacture of
sugar is receiving considerable attention and is not an experi-
ment, for it was proven as early as 1867 at Fond du Lac and at
Black Hawk, Sauk county, in 1870, that the soil and climate of
Wisconsin were si;ited to tlie successful growth of the sugar beet.
The failure of these enterprises was due, however, to lost interest
in this particular product by the farmers.
In writing of the dairying interests, and keeping in mind
the fact that the state of Wisconsin stands in the front rank in
the production of butter and cheese, it must also be kept in mind
that Eau Claire county is on the star list in these commodities;
with the nearness to market, the right kind of soil, the best grass
and the purest water, they can and do produce butter and cheese
that cannot be surpassed by even the most favored localities of
Europe. The growth of this branch of agriculture has been
rapid, but has never yet exceeded the demand, which is con-
stantly increasing. And not only has this indvistry been a source
of immense revenue, it has completely revolutionized the methods
of farming that were in vise twenty-five or thirty years ago, when
nearly all the land was plowed up in the fall or spring and
planted to wheat and other grains. Then in addition to the wash-
ing away of the loose soil by the spring rains come years of
short crops, low prices and innumerable trials and troubles that
arise from depending wholly upon the success of one growth of
a certain crop.
The following comjiarison Avill be of interest and show the
increase or decrease in the yield of the various commodities. The
agricultural products for the county in 1890 were as follows:
Wheat, 72,150 bushels; corn, 150,000 bushels; oats, 395,538
bushels; rye, 28,194 bushels; potatoes, 86,563 bushels; flax, 13,040
pounds ; tobacco, 354 pounds ; cultivated grasses, 10,966 tons.
The acreage seeded to grain in 1890 was as follows: Wheat,
7,467 ; corn, 9,042 ; oats, 18,850 ; barley, 1,157 ; rye, 2,952 ; that of
potatoes was 1,044; cultivated grasses, 15,408.
In 1912 the agricultural products of the county were : Wheat,
AGRICULTURE AND DAIRYING 51
52,458 bushels; corn, 441,647 bushels, shelled; oats, 1,129,807
bushels; barley, 196,759 bushels; rye, 141,414 bushels; flax, 690
bushels; potatoes, 287,065 bushels; beans, 1,675 bushels; timothy
seed, 2,065 bushels; eloverseed, 2,593 bushels; sugar beets, 1,023
tons; tobacco, 12,800 pounds; cabbage, 3,397 tons; hay, 26,170
tons. The acreage seeded to grain in 1912 was as follows : Wheat,
2,841 ; corn, 16,784 ; oats, 40,982 ; barley, 8,210 ; rye, 11,078 ; flax,
495; potatoes, 2,270; beans, 195; sugar beets, 57; cabbage, 189;
tobacco, 8; cultivated grasses, 33,635.
DAIRYING.
It took a good many years of experience and the efforts of
some farmers more progressive than others of the general run
to bring to the fore, as a commercial proposition, the dairying
industry. Cattle, almost from the earliest settlement down to
within the last fifteen years, were raised for beef, with occasion-
ally a "cheese factory" which would spring up and flourish for
a time and then quit business, for the Avell developed farming of
the east could more than successfully compete with the middle
west in "cream cheese." Every farmer who kept cows made
more or less dairy butter, usually a department presided over
by the good wife, who presided at the churn and had her regular
days for turning out butter for the market, but with the develop-
ment of this section and the steady increase of population of
villages came the demand "more butter," and with this demand
from the markets developed the raising of better cattle, the
establishment of creameries and the application of scientific
modern methods to the making and marketing of butter.
Eau Claire county farmers have kept pace with other sections
of the state, and this very profitable industry has been pretty
well developed in almost all parts of the county ; farmers are and
have been studying the breeds of dairy cattle; they send their
sons to the university, some taking the short course and some
the long course in agriculture, and come out fitted to manage
stock farms successfullj^ There are one or two associations of
men who breed a certain kind of dairy cattle, and stock farms
with modern sanitary barns and apparatus for handling milk
and cream are found in nearly every township, and not only
that, but there are numerous creameries, which are generally
operated on the co-operative plan by the farmers in its com-
munity, where butter fat is turned into cash with scientific regu-
larity, and from this one industry alone has come a great increase
52 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
in laud values all over the county. As late as 1890 there were
but 4,10i milch cows in the county. In 1912 this number had
been increased to 10,248, valued at $202,312. In this same year
there was 6,609 head of other cattle, valued at $67,697. Horses
there were 7,723 head, valued at $568,668. Sheep and lambs, 5,116
head, valued at $13,127. This same year there were 5,515 head of
swine four months old or over, valued at $30,917. For the year
1912 there were 1,295 silos in the county.
Previous to 1880 there was very little dairying done in Eau
Claire county. Farming was practically all wheat, barley and
oats, the cattle of the county pasturing in the brush or on the
roadside in the summer, and living on the straw stacks in the
winter. What little butter was made was made in the summer
and all handled by the women folks and put down in the cellar
for the winter. The surplus was traded out to the grocery store
or kept in the cellar until the fall and then sold for what it would
bring, which was not much.
The first creamery in the county was started along early in
the eighties, shortly after the first institute was held in Augusta.
At that time Ex-Governor "W. H. Hoard, Hiram Smith and Dean
Henry of the university were out preaching the gospel of the
dairy cow as the only salvation of the northern Wisconsin farmer.
The creamery ran all summer and then failed. The next year it
went into the hands of the Victory Drug Co., of Augusta, who
made a success of it. Shortly after this a creamery was started
at Fall Creek. This creamery adopted the plan of gathering hand
skimmed cream from the farmers, and followed that plan for a
year or two, until the advent of the cream sepai-ator. They then
established a skimming station as did the Augusta creamery.
This improved the quality of the butter and brought more money
to the farmers, making it possible for them to make money out
of dairying. Soon after this a cheese factory was started at
Russell's Corner, near Augusta, which was later turned into a
creamery, and has been very successful.
About 1885 the Augusta Creamery established a skimming
station in the town of Ludington. This branch later grew and
developed into a creamery. It was sold out to Ludtke Bros., of
Ludington, who operated it until about three years ago, when it
burned down. The farmers then organized a co-operative cream-
ery, which is now in active operation. In about the year 1886
there was a company organized in the city of Eau Claire to biiild
and operate a creamery. This was built on Water street, but
proved a failure, there not being enough cows within easy hauling
AGRICULTURE AND DAIRYING 53
distance of the creamery to furnish cream for the plant. The
next creamery to be organized in the county was at Cleghorn.
This was along about 1893 or 1894 and is still in operation and
doing well. Along about 1894 there was a creamery started in
the town of Drammen. This never was a success, was closed down
about two years ago and sold at auction about one year ago. Has
now been turned into a cheese factory.
Shortly after this Messrs. Hanke and Emmerson built a cream-
ery at Brackett in the town of Washington. This creamery was
very successful for a Avhile, but gradually lost patronage and was
sold out several times and finally organized into a co-operative
plant and failed, closing down about two years ago. There was
also a creamery organized in the town of Union about four miles
from Eau Claire. This creamery never did very much and finally
closed down.
In 1901 the farmers of the town of "Washington organized a
co-operative creamery and built it ' about five miles from Eau
Claire. This creamery has been successful from the start and is
now doing a good business. In 1901 they discontinued making
cheese at Russel's Corner and built a new creamery, and about
the same time the farmers of the town of Bridge Creek in what is
known as Diamond Valley organized a co-operative creamery
there and are still in successful operation. In 1906 the Eau Claire
Creamery Company was organized and started business in May
of that year. This company has steadily grown until it ranks as
one of the largest concerns of this kind in the state. Since 1880
the county has gradually di-ifted away from grain raising to
dairying and stock raising. They have a Guernsey Breeders'
Association, also a Holstein Breeders' Association, and they work-
ing in harmony with Prof. Ingles, the State Agricultural Instruc-
tor, have done a vast amount of good in the last two years. And
the day is not far distant when Eau Claire coimty will rank as
one of the best dairy and stock counties of the state.
CHAPTER X.
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY TRAINING SCHOOL.
By
W. A. CLARK.
The Eau Claire County Training School for Teachers was
established by act of the county board November IS, 1904, and
opened in the city of Eau Claire August 28, 1905, and was the
eighth school of this kind in the state. At the present time,
less than nine years later, there are twenty-eight.
This school at first occupied rooms in the high school building
and employed two teachers, namely, W. A. Clark, principal, and
Miss Franc Wilkins, assistant. The school opened with an
attendance of forty-eight and increased so rapidly that another
teacher Avas secured for the second year. Miss Clara McNown
was engaged in this capacity, and remained with the school two
years. On Miss McNown 's resignation, Miss Lydia Wheelock
was engaged as second assistant, and remained in this position
for four years. She was followed by Miss Maud Guest, who is
still one of the faculty. Miss Wilkins and Mr. Clark have been
with the school from the beginning to the present time (1914).
During the summer of 1907 the beautiful and commodious
building now occupied by the school was erected by the county
on grounds adjoining the courthouse. In the spring of 1912
the usefulness of the school in promoting agricultural education
was greatly increased by the coming of G. K. Ingalls as county
agriculturist, who was given an office in the building, made it
his headquarters and became teacher of agriculture in the train-
ing school. The following winter a short course in agriculture
was given in which seventeen young men were enrolled. The
present time finds the school taxed to its utmost capacity, Avith
sixty-four students in the teachers' training courses and twenty-
two in the short course in agriculture. That the reputation of
the school has reached beyond the boundaries of the county is
shown by the fact that there are in attendance this year (1914)
more than thirty non-resident students coming from Chippewa,
Rush, Clark, Burnette, Jackson, Trempealeau, Buffalo and Pepin
counties.
The school has one hundred and eighty-seven graduates up to
date, of whom one hundred and twenty are actively engaged in
teaching, which testifies to the efficiency of the school in incul-
54
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY TRAINING SCHOOL 55
eating professional spirit and love for the work. These gradu-
ates have been uniformly successful and the demand for the
product of the school is steadily increasing. No little credit for
the success of the school is due the high eliaracter and ability
of the men and women who have, during the past eight years,
served the school on the training school board. The first training
school board was composed of Hon. Emmet Horan, of Eau Claire,
president; Mr. Gus Dittmer, of Augusta, treasurer, and County
Superintendent of Schools Laura Burce, secretary. On Mr.
Koran's appointment as a member of the board of regents of
normal schools he resigned from the training school board, April
22, 1908, and Mr. Richard II. Loether, of Eau Claire, was made
his successor. On the retirement of Miss Burce from the county
superintendency in July, 1909, her successor. Miss Theresa A.
Leinenkugel, became secretary of the board. In November, 1913,
Mr. E. G. Herrel, of Augusta, was given a place on the board.
Ml-. Dittmer retiring, and at the same time Mr. J. H. Waggoner
succeeded Mr. Loether as president of the board. The board
as now constituted consists of J. H. Waggoner, president; E. G.
Herrel, treasurer, and j\Iiss Theresa Leinenkugel, secretary.
THE RURAL SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY.
Eau Claire county has not fallen behind others of the state
in regard to the educational welfare of its population. There are
88 rural schools under the supervision of the county superintend-
ent. Miss Theresa A. Leinenkugel, who has filled the office for
six years — her predecessor, Miss Burce, having held it for the
same length of time. Under them the schools have shown a con-
stant advance in methods and efficiency. It is to be hoped that
the system of consolidation which has proved so successful in
Illinois and Indiana will be tried more faithfully in this state
and county. Each district should see its three or four small
schools united in one, which could thereby secure better teachers
and more fitting equipment. The state legislature grants $50
yearly on certain conditions to each school which has a specified
number of enregistered pupils, this sum to be expended in suit-
able blackboards, maps, a globe, systematic ventilation, properly
screened outbuildings, etc. This appropriation is granted for
three consecutive years, is highly appreciated and has shown good
results in the interest and zeal inspired by pleasing and sanitary
surroundhigs and adequate working tools.
CHAPTEU XL
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR.
By
W. W. BARTLETT.
Editor's Note. To Mr. William W. Bartlett, of Eaii Claire,
is due the credit for this interesting and valuable chapter, and a
work of explanation is here appropriate regarding the form in
which the matter is presented.
Mr. Bartlett has long taken great interest in gathering remi-
niscences of the Civil War, and especially of those from Eau Claire
county who participated in it. In fact he is recognized as Eau
Claire's authority of Civil War history. In 1911 the fiftieth
anniversary of the outbreak of the war, the Eau Claire Telegram
started a Civil War column and asked for reminiscences from the
veterans. Knowing of Mr. Bartlett 's researches along this line
he was also asked to contribute, and responded with an article
made up of verbatim extracts from the Civil War time files of
local newspapers, narrating events in Eau Claire just preceding
and immediately after the firing upon of Fort Sumter. Pertain-
ing as it did to individuals known to many of the Telegram
readers it awakened much interest and more was called for. The
result was a series of articles extending over several months.
Supplementing the extracts from local newspaper files, of official
records and many hitherto unpublished private Civil War letters,
Mr. Bartlett prevailed upon a number of surviving officers and
members of companies recruited in Eau Claire county to furnish
reminiscences of their companies. These contributions constitute
an almost complete account of Eau Claire's contingent in the war
and were highly appreciated by the public.
The foi'm in which the record appeared in the Telegram has
been preserved in this chapter, not only because the series
attracted great attention, but also because letters from men who
participated in the great conflict convey a more intimate knowl-
edge and more vivid impression than anj' other form of record
could possibly give. They also add an intensity of interest to the
recital.
The publication of the letters makes this chapter somewhat
lengthy, but a valuable chapter has been the sole aim of the pub-
.56
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 57
lishers. For that reason Mr. Bartlett was persuaded to edit,
rearrange and make a connected story of the series.
"We are also indebted to Mr. Bartlett for the fine collection
of war pictures which illustrate this chapter. They are the result
of years of patient search and gathering.
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, March 4, 1911.
Editor Daily Telegram : I have your request for some
material for your proposed series of Civil War articles,
and shall be pleased to furnish something along that line.
Doubtless it is your purpose to publish reminiscences of
any sort which may pertain to the Civil War, but what-
ever I may furnish will be of a strictly local nature. As
you know, I am not a veteran, neither did I reside here
during the Civil War. My parents came here from Maine
in the spring of 1867, when I was but six years of age, but
other relatives had preceded us, and I had cousins in a
good proportion of the companies recruited in this county,
and also in some of the companies from other counties in
this part of the state.
It would seem to me that no sketch of Civil War times
in Eau Claire county would be complete without mention
of Gilbert E. Porter, editor of the Eau Claire Free Press
from December, 1858, until the fall of 1864, and who later
became so prominent in the lumbering industry of the
Chippewa Valley. I am furnishing you today a picture of
Mr. Porter, taken in middle life, and shows him as most
of us younger men recall him. Mr. Porter was a true
patriot, and every editorial which appeared in his paper
was a credit both to the man and to Eau Claire.
The following editorial, which appeared in the Free
Press of December 24, I860, presents the first rumbling of
the approaching conflict:
Free Press, December 24, 1860.
"We give today pretty full accounts of the secession move-
ment. It will be seen that South Carolina has passed an ordi-
nance of secession unanimously, and the others of the cotton
states are likely to follow suit. How the matter will terminate
is beyond the reach of mortal ken. If we had a Jackson at the
helm of the ship of state we should not be kept long in suspense,
but as long as the president's chair is occupied by the present
corrupt old traitor we know not what a day will bring forth.
58 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Dispatches from the South justify us in the belief that Buchanan
has betrayed his solemn trust by ordering the surrender of the
forts and the government's arms at Charleston upon the demand
of the southern traitors. If that be so we shall not be surprised
if an attempt is made to impeach the Old Public Functionary for
high crimes and misdemeanors."
Although realizing to some extent the feeling in the South,
it seemed to Editor Porter hardly possible that it Avould go to
the extent of beginning actual hostilities against the government.
The unexpected happened. On April 12, 1861, Fort Sumter was
fired on. The Free Press came out with an extra announcing the
fact. Probably no copy of this extra is in existence, but the next
regular issue, April 19, the announcement was reprinted. Fol-
lowing the display head are given the dispatches, with particulars
of the bombardment and evacuation of the fort. On the same
page Mr. Porter expresses his feelings in an editorial as repro-
duced below :
"THE WAR BEGUN.
"The terrible fact of a civil war now stares us full in the face,
and lovers of the Union must meet the sudden tho.ugh not unex-
pected responsibilities which devolve upon them. Every Union
loving heart will swell with emotion as it contemplates the unal-
terable baseness and dishonor of those who have inaugurated
civil war ; and we greatly mistake the temper of all good citizens,
South as well as North, if they do not firmly resolve to aid when
duty calls, in executing a terrible retribution upon the rebels.
Let the watchword be, "The government, it must and shall be
preserved ' ; and if perchance there is a wretch in our midst whose
sympathies are not with the government, let the execrations of
all good citizens be upon him; let the finger of scorn follow him
till sham_e burns his cheeks to a cinder."
In the press of the following week, April 26, appears the call
for the first war meeting, reproduced below:
"PATRIOTS AROUSE.
"There will be a meeting of the patriotic citizens of Eau
Claire and vicinity in Reed's Hall on Monday the 29th for the
purpose of devising means to get up a company to go and fight
the battles of our country. Speaking and singing may be
expected."
In the Free Press of May 3, 1861, appears the report of that
gathering, as follows :
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 59
Free Press, May 3, 1861.
"On Monday evenmg- the citizens of this place, irrespective
of party, met at ReecVs Hall for the purpose of attesting their
attachment to the good old Stars and Stripes of the Union. It
was in every respect by far the largest and most enthusiastic
meeting ever held in this place. A common cause brought them
together and a common sentiment animated every heart. At an
early hour the hall was densely packed with people, including
fifteen or twenty ladies, Avho came early enough to obtain admit-
ance. A great many were unable to get in the hall. N. B. Boyden,
Esq., was called to chair and J. G. Callahan was elected secre-
tary. Mr. Boyden briefly and appropriately addressed the meet-
ing and his remarks were well received. Messrs. Barnes, Meg-
gett, Davis, Bartlett, Barrett, Woodworth, Taylor, Porter, Whip-
ple, Wilson, Stillman and McNair were respectively called to the
stand, all of whom made speeches abounding in patriotism and
expressing warm attachment to the government and union. Men
and means promptly tendered — the former to fight for the coun-
try, the latter to equip the soldiers and provide for their families.
The Eau Claire Brass Band and Sprague's Military Band added
much to the interest of the occasion.
"After the meeting the following names were enrolled to form
the company : John Taylor, G. W. Marcum, A. S. Bostwick, John
Woodworth, A. C. Ellis, Thomas B. Coon, Charles Sargent, G. E.
Bonell, D. R. King, Henry Schaffer, John Dennis, F. R. Buck,
J. D. McCauley, Machler Strifi', Robert Lackey, W. J. Cosporus,
G. W. Wilson, Melvin M. Adams, G. M. Brewer, L. Cornwell,
Jesse Adams, Myron Shaw, Theodore DeDesert, G. A. Brown,
H. McDougal, John E. Stillman, A. Watson, H. II. Parker, W. P.
Bartlett, J. Wells, J. Sloat, C. S. McLeod, Augustus Block, James
Jones, George Eckart, J. Swan, Philip Hammer, Chriss Scholkopf,
John Sloverman, B. F. Cowen, Jacob Siegil, John Harrson, C. W.
Burbauk, Osten Rutland, Henry J. Linhergue, William E. Kil-
gore, B. F. Buck, Oscar Sargent, William Monteith, M. V. Smith,
J. C. Davis, J. S. Goodrich, Couradon Wyman, J. P. Hale, D. H.
Hollister, Otis F. Warren, D. P. Gordon, A. Parker, J. A. Bar-
berish, G. II. Hamilton, Henry Hunter, John Legore, J. S.
Anderson.
"Prom present indications we have no doubt that two com-
panies might be raised in this place and Chippewa Falls. Of
course the country about will be well represented. Quite a dele-
gation from Bridge Creek came down to enlist, and yesterday a
60 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
wagonload drawn by four gray horses, decked with small Union
flags, and a beautiful large one streaming from a staff supported
in the wagon, came into town from Mondovi. They were vocifer-
ously cheered by our citizens. They are a determined and
patriotic set of men and would fight like tigers when duty calls
them to the battlefield."
Other names were added later and in the Free Press of May
10 we find the following:
"THE EAU CLAIRE BADGERS.
"This company is about full and is aching for active service.
It is composed of active, intelligent men, who have good health,
strong muscular development and determined wills. "We wish
to correct the absurd rumor which is now going the rounds of
the papers that a company has been formed here, all of whose
members stand over six feet high. The Eau Claire boys in time
of peace are probably not larger than the average run of men,
but if they come to a hard fight we have no doubt the rebels will
think that each man weighs at least a ton. On Saturday last the
Badgers met at Reed's Hall and elected officers. They are as
follows: Captain, John Taylor; first lieutenant, A. S. Bostwick ;
second lieutenant, Henry Hunter; third lieutenant, Oscar Sar-
gent • orderly sergeant, A. C. Ellis. Captain Taylor left for
Madison on Monday last for the purpose of tendering the services
of the company to the governor. He Avill probably return home
as soon as Sunday."
(For some reason there was considerable delay in closing \\p
the final arrangements for the mustering in of this company, and
many of the recruits became restless.)
Free Press, May 31, 1861.
"The Eau Claire Badgers have forwarded their application to
the adjutant-general for their acceptance into service. A reply
will probably be had in a few days. The boys are ready and
willing to go to war, but if there is no show of being accepted
they will probably disband.
"Mr. Victor Wolf, who has had several years' experience in
the militarj^ service of the United States, has been drilling them
for some time past, and it is said they have made commendable
progress in the arts of war."
(Unwilling to wait longer for an opportunity to see active
service the compan.y began to droj) out. Just at this opportune
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IX THE CIVIL WAR 61
time a recruitiug officer from another count}' appeared on the
scene, as told in the Free Press as follows) :
"The captain of the 'Prescott Guards,' of Prescott, came up
to the Chippewa Valley yesterday for the purpose of filling up
his company to the required number, it having been assigned to
a place in the Sixth Regiment, and notified to be in readiness for
mustering by the lOtli inst. Some twenty of the boys of the Eau
Claire Badgers enlisted under him last night and left this morning
for Prescott, well pleased with the prospects of getting into active
service. Our boys, we doubt not, will 'make their mark' when
the lighting comes."
(If these boys were looking for a cliance to fight they certainly
made no mistake in the choice of their company, for it will be
remembered the Sixth Regiment with the Second and. Seventh
became a part of the famous Iron Brigade and saw some of the
heaviest service of the' war. Among those who left the Eau Claire
Badgers to join the Prescott company was A. C. EHis, who
attained the rank of first lieutenant, returned to Eau Claire and
lived here for a number of years after the war.
Another Eau Claire man who enlisted in the Sixth Regiment,
although not in the same company with Ellis and his associates,
was Franz Siebenthall. He was in Company D, was wounded at
South Mountain, and on the 1st of July, 1863, was killed on the
field of Gettysburg. Mr. Siebenthall in the summer of 1855
bought from the United States government about seventy-five
acres of land on the west side, for which he paid $1.25 per acre,
or $94.50 for the tract. The following spring he sold the land
to Ira Mead for $756, a very fair profit, but this amount would
hardly purchase the land today, as it lay just south of Grand
avenue and extended from about Fifth avenue east to the Chip-
pewa river, comprising the ~ principal part of what is now the
Fifth ward. In addition to those who joined the Sixth Regiment
were a number of- the Badger company who, a few days before,
had taken blankets and other equipment belonging to the com-
pany, helped themselves to some boats and went down the river,
where they joined an artillery company then being formed at
LaCrosse. These individuals may have been able to justify their
conduct to themselves, but Editor Porter expressed very strongly
his disapproval of same.)
Free Press, June 7, 1861.
"After the company Avhich had been formed here had con-
cluded that they could not get into service, something like a half
62 IllSTOKY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
dozen committed a most dishonorable trick by running off in the
night with all the available property, such as blankets, etc., they
could lay their hands upon. In view of such a transaction we are
glad the company was not accepted, as we want no men to go to
the wars from Eaii Claire who are not gentlemen. Of course
those who remain would not countenance such petty theft, and
who are exempt from the above reflection. A good soldier must
be a man of honor."
Under date of June 21, 1861, the Free Press announced that
Captain Taylor had received notice from Governor Randall that
the company would be accepted, and in the same issue there also
appeared the following:
"NOTICE TO EAU CLAIRE BADGERS.
"I have just received an order from the governor to fill up
a company to be mustered into service. I therefore request all
of the old members of the Eau Claire Badgers and as many more
as wish to join them to report to me as soon as possible that I
may have my company ready as soon as July 4. A meeting will
be held on that day to complete the roll, on the grounds where the
celebration is to take place — West side. Persons Avishiug to join
should apply immediately, as I wish to notify Governor Randall
of a full company at the earliest possible moment.
"The old members will be entitled to one month's pay; and
all who have families will be entitled to $5 per mouth extra com-
pensation during their service.
"Patriots arouse! Our country calls for our services. Let us
answer with our muskets. Let the Chippewa Valley be repre-
sented in the ranks of our country's defenders.
"June 21, 1861. JOHN TAYLOR, Captain."
For some reason the attempt to fill up the ranks of the old
company was a failure, but almost immediately steps were taken
to recruit a new one. In the Free Press of July 19 we find this
announcement :
"A NEW COMPANY.
' ' We learn that an effort is being made by Judge Pex'kins and
Victor Wolf, Esq., to raise a company of volunteers for the war,
independent of anything that has heretofore been done. Rolls
for that purpose have already been sent to the different towns.
When the company is made up the volunteers are to meet and
choose their officers.
C\
^: \^ ^
1^
1
^S ---
^^
V.
VICTOR WOLF
•Al-r. JOHN rERKI.XS
GILBERT E. PORTER
OfiEMA-GE-ZKIK
Captor of Old Abe
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 63
"We hope and trust that a company may be raised, as Eau
Claire might and ought 1o be represented in the Grand Army
of the Union. If the matter is conducted -\vith discretion it seems
to us tliat tliere ought to be no difficulty in obtaining a full com-
plement of men in a very little time." This prediction came true,
and the "new company," Avhieh retained the name "Eau Claire
Badgers," became Company C, Eighth Wisconsin, the Eagle Com-
pany of the Eagle Regiment.
In the Free Press of September 12, 1861, appeared a list of the
officers and privates of tlie new eompany as given below :
"THE EAU CLAIRE BADGERS.
"The following are the names of the officers and privates of
tliis noble company: Captain, John E. Perkins; iirst lieutenant,
Victor Wolf ; second lieutenant, Frank McGuire ; orderly sergeant,
Seth Pierce; second orderly sergeant, Myron Briggs; third
orderly sergeant, F. Schmidtmyer, fourth orderly sergeant, Robert
Anderson; fifth orderly sergeant, Thomas G. Butler; first cor-
poral. Christian Scholkopf; second corporal, B. F. Cowen; third
corporal, J. B. Button; fourth corporal, William G. Kirk; fifth
corporal, M. N. Goddard; sixth corporal, Charles J. Phillips;
seventh corporal, David Noble; eighth corporal, Walter Quick;
William Buckley, Charles Segar, Nathaniel Brown, Silas M. Tal-
meter, Thomas West, Wilber F. McCord, Alphonzo Beeman, S. T.
Wiggaut, Nathaniel Canfield, Elijah Prine, Max. Worth, Hugh
Macaulay, Thomas J. Hill, C. F. Shipman, John Hamilton, William
Avery, James Atwater, Andrew B. Tyrel, George Bonell, Riley
Hedge, Charles W. Robison, Edward Hummiston, George W.
Riley, Adolph Stallman, William IMonteith, Albert Tuttle, John F.
Hill, B. F. Haynes, John Woodworth, Phillip Emery, Burnett
Demarest, Gabriel Gebhard, John Hawkins, Adolph Pitch, N. D.
Randall, Frederick More, F. R. Buck, Paul Selb, Milton Whitney,
Hovel Swenson, Jacob Hath, Daniel A. Wyman, David McClain,
J. W. Phillips, Edwin Roberts, John Kimbell, Julius A. Hill, E. C.
Wilkins, Charles Russell, A. Stukbury, Harry D. White, George
Murphy, Charles Parker, John Buckart, James McGinnis, Charles
Sargent, David Farley, Isaac Devoe, George Brown, Robert
Dodge, Edward R. Curtis, George W. Palmer, Alfred Thurston,
Newell Hanscome, William H. Guppee, Peter Ole Ollen, Ephraim
Wilcox, Phillip Burk, Hanson Dickey, George Barber, J. W.
Hooper, C. B. Robinson, Frank Barrett, James D. McCauley, A. R.
Barnes, Thomas B. Coon.
Of the above the following do not appear to have been mus-
64 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
tered into service, as their names are not found in the official
roster of the company : James Atwater, George Bonell, John
Hawkins, Silas M. Talmeter, E. C. Wilkins, George Murphy and
C. B. Robinson. On the other hand, the roster contains the names
of the following who evidently joined the company later : .Jacob
Aaron, Henry Becker, Andrew Brown, Stephen Canfield, William
Connell, William Chatwood, William Delap, Martin Dickerschied,
Solomon Fuller, Dana S. Fuller, Ferdinand Grasser, Shipman W.
Griffith, Henry Grinnell, George Hutchings, George Leng, George
A. Loomis, Harrison B. Loomis, Charles McFait, Collin S. McLeod,
Christian Miller, William F. Page, Silas M. Palmeter, Frank N.
Parker, Nathaniel P. Poppel, David K. Reynolds, Andrew Ritger,
Mark Sibbalds. Dighton Smith, John Soal, Charles Strasburg,
August Thiel.
Editor Daily Telegram : Just fifty years ago this com-
ing summer Mr. A. R. Barnes, a former printer in the old
Free Press office, resigned his position to enlist in the first
company of volunteers from this village. Editor Porter
gave him the following complimentary and humorous
send-off :
"Mr. A. R. Barnes, foreman of this office, informed us
yesterday that he was off for the war, and in less than an
hour he recorded his name and was sworn into service.
Mr. Barnes is an energetic, industrious young man, small in
stature but large in heart, and if he uses his musket in
battle as he uses his 'shootingstick' in the printing office
he will not only make his mark but hit it, too. May all of
his leaded matter be found in the front column of the
secession forces and may his shadow never grow less.
Mr. Barnes survived the war, went back to his trade of
printer, not here but in his former home in Iowa, and is
still living there, a hale and heai'ty veteran. Knowing that
a recital of his recollection of Eau Claire prior to and at
the outbreak of the war would be of interest to your read-
ers I dropped a line to hira a few days ago, and in response
received the very interesting and breezy letter which fol-
lows:
Albia, Iowa, Feb. 23, 1911.
Mr. William W. Bartlett, Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Dear Sir: In compliance with your request I give you some
of my recollections of scenes and events in Eau Claire that came
under my observation some fifty years ago.
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 65
In the spring of 1860 I went to Eau Claire, going on boat on
Mississippi river from Burlington to the confluence of the Chip-
pewa river, and thence by boat to Eau Claire. My purpose was
to study law with an uncle, H. W. Barnes, who had located in
Eau Claire biit a short time before, and who had hung out his
shingle as an attorney. My duties were to sweep out the office,
emptj^ the cuspidor, submit to some grilling every day as to com-
mon law points and answer all questions as to the "Judge" when
he was away from the office. I did not take to the work very
enthusiastically, but my uncle was very kind to me. One day
while I was in the rear room reading Blackstone I heard a gen-
tleman enter the front room and ask, "Say, Judge, haven't you
a nephew here who is a printer? My printers went to Chippewa
Falls last night to attend a dance, and I suppose they are drunk,
and I don't know when they will come back, and today is
publication day, and I don't believe there is another printer in
the Chippewa Valley." It was Gilbert_E. Porter.
My uncle called me and I was introduced to Mr. Porter. I
told him I would help him out. I went with him to the office —
upstairs in a long frame building near the big bluff — and found
that the printers had set the advertisements and the locals and
made up the forms, leaving space on the local and editorial pages
for a few more locals or advertisements and editorials. He wrote
an apology for late appearance of the paper and lack of local
and editorial matter, and I put the same in type and locked up
the forms and put them on the press — a Washington hand press
as I remember — and along in the afternoon we started to "run
off the paper." The devil in the office was named Woods, and
he had not been long enough in the business to know how to run
the rollers over the type forms and was really to light for the
work. Mr. Porter saw the situation and said he could roll if I
could run the press. We tackled the work and kept at it till past
midnight, taking only time to eat a bite of supper, and we
wrapped the papers for out-of-town mail, and about two o'clock
in the morning I went to my uncle's home and went to bed. I
think Mr. Porter slept in the office on a board.
I slept late and did not get up to the office until nine or ten
o'clock. Mr. Porter had gone to breakfast and preceded me only
a few minutes. The printers got back from Chippewa Falls, and
when they came to the office were surprised to find that the
edition was printed and wrapped and addressed for the mails.
They took the forms from the press, washed them and put them
on the imposing stones and were distributing the type in the cases.
66 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
"When Mr. Porter and I arrived we went into the sanctum, apart
from the composing and press room. He pulled a chair over next
to him and asked me to sit down. I did so and he said : "I want
you to take charge of the mechanical part of this paper, and I
will pay you $20 a week, and will get you all the help you need. ' '
It was goodbye to Blackstone and the lawyer's career right then
and there. Twenty dollars a week was a big sum way back in
those days, and I stayed with the job until Company C was
organized and went to war.
Mr. Porter owed me more than $600 when the company was
ready to start, and he asked me if I wanted the money. I told
him, "No, just give me a note, and if I never come back pay to
my uncle and ask him to send it to my parents in Albia, Iowa."
My uncle took care of the note and gave it back to me when I
returned from the war. Mr. Porter paid off the note, principal
and interest, and he did more, he took me from Eau Claire to
Sparta in a buggy, went with me to Chicago, paid my railway
fare and hotel bills while in the city, and bade me goodbye at the
depot as I started for the home of my parents in this place. It
was very fortunate for me that I had saved the $600 and interest,
as I suffered a full year with my chronic trouble, and every cent
was used in paying doctor's and other bills before I was able
to go to work.
INCIDENTS OF THE OLD DAYS.
I recall many incidents in my experience in Eau Claii-e. Mr.
Porter was a typical gentleman and a splendid business man, but
he was not a free and easy writer, and the bent of his mind ran
in business channels. He had no knowledge of the printing busi-
ness.
CAPT. JOHN E. PERKINS.
One day I carried some proofs into the sanctum for Mr. Porter
to read, and a gentleman was present, and I thought him the
homeliest man I had ever seen. It was John E. Perkins, wlio later
became the first captain of Company C, and a braver or better
man I never knew. In the first most important battle the regi-
ment was engaged in at Farraington, Mississippi, on May 8, 1862,
he was mortally wounded, and he died two days later. He gave
his life for the perpetuity of the Union, and no greater sacrifice
was made in a Wisconsin regiment.
Thomas B. Coon, who came from Kelbourn City to work with
me in the office, and who became a member of Company C, join-
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 67
ing the company two weeks after I was mustered in, was a genial
fellow and a comi^etent workman.
Coon and I slept in the office and took our meals at the Sling-
luff House, and we got our first view of the sacrifices that were
required in saving the Union. We had eaten our dinner and came
out onto the platform in front of the house, when a team of horses
attached to a farm wagon and loaded with men drove up. They
were from ChijDpewa Falls and were the first soldiei-s to enlist
from that i^lace. The men were taken to the dining room for
dinner, and the horses were sent to the barn to be fed. The men
had not more than been seated when a carriage drove up that
contained the man who had recruited the squad, his girl and his
brother and sister. They went to their dinner. When all had had
dinner the teams drove up. The driver of the farm wagon got
his load on board and was ready to start down the river, but
was halted while the captain bade his sweetheart, brother and
sister good-bye. He was to go with the crowd, and his brother,
sister and sweetheart were to return home. Say, but that parting
was awful, but the soldier was brave and never shed a tear. He
won an eagle on his shoulder, but if history is straight he fell in
love with another girl and married her.
LEAVING FOR THE WAR.
The memory of the march from the Slingluff House through
the main streets and down to the river, where we boarded the
little boat, "Stella Whipple," and the memory of the kind Eau
Claire ladies Avho gave us their blessing and little red testaments
with the motto pasted on the fly leaf, "The better the man, the
better the soldier — George Washington," will never be forgotten,
nor will the boys who endured the forty-six days' march around
Vicksburg, and sixteen days with only a cracker a day, forget the
hardships of the trip. It is si^rprising that one is left to tell the
story. Tlie two events were impressed upon my mind never to
be erased.
Note. — The Slinglufl' House, above referred to, was the Eau
Claire House, of which Mr. Slinglutt', a pioneer, was then pro-
prietor.
OLD ABE, THE WAR EAGLE.
Some remarks in regard to the eagle taken out by the
Perkin's company may not be out of place at this time. By
far the best historv of this bird ever written is that of Rev.
HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
J. 0. Barrett, a Universalist clergyman of Eau Claire. The
first edition of his book appeared in 1865, and a number of
other editions since. As evidence of the painstaking care
exercised by Rev. Barrett in the preparation of his narra-
tive I give below several extracts from his book:
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, February 13, 1865.
J. O. Barrett, Esq.
Dear Sir : Having been engaged for a short time in the
collection of information relative to the capture and early
ownership of the eagle of the Eighth Wisconsin Regiment,
whose history you intend to publish, I talie pleasure in
submitting a few facts in regard to the progress made.
Ascertaining, first, that the eagle had been sold to Mr.
Daniel McCann, of the town of Eagle Point, in this county,
by some Indians, you wished me to discover, if possible,
who those Indians were, and to secure their presence at
Eau Claire at an early day. I learned from Mr. McCann
that the Indians who had brought the eagle to him in the
summer of 1861 were of the Lake Flambeau tribe, and
that the owner was a son of Ali-monse, chief of that tribe,
or band, of Chippewa Indians. I proceeded to obtain cor-
roborative evidence of this account, and found, through the
evidence of Mr. John Brunet, Mr. James Ermatinger, Mr.
Charles Corbine and others — all old residents of the upper
Chippewa and Flambeau rivers — besides the testimony of
dift'erent Indians who were acquainted with the facts of
the capture of the eagle, that it was correct. All accounts
agree that the name of the captor of the bird is A-ge-mah-
we-ge-zhig, or Chief Sky, one of the five sons of the said
Ah-monse. Having satisfied myself by such evidence, and
by other inquiries made in every direction, that there could
be no mistake in the identity of the captor of the eagle, I
have made arrangements, according to your directions, to
bring the said A-ge-mah-we-ge-zhig to Eau Claire as soon
as possible. He is now with his band, hunting between the
head waters of the Yellow and Flambeau rivers, and is
shortly expected at Brunet 's Falls, on the Chippewa.
Wishing you full success in the publication of your
work, I remain, with much respect, Yours truly,
Theodore Coleman.
Ascertaining that A-ge-mah-we-ge-zhig, with other
hunters, would soon arrive at Brunet 's Falls on their way
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR
up the river, Mr. Coleman engaged Mr. Brunet to detain
him there until a concerted, movement. At length they
came, the Indian with them, to whom was communicated
the wishes of the "white man at Eau Claire," who desired
to talk with him "about the eagle he caught a few years
ago." He hesitated, apprehensive of a trick, for all white
men had not been true to their red brethren. Finally he
appealed to his father. It was a grave question indeed;
they were all afraid of being arrested for captm-ing an
eagle ! After a long counsel together the old chief resolved
to go to Chippewa Falls without further waiting, requiring
his boys to follow the next day, and appear in proper cos-
tume, should he find it safe. Arriving there he had an
interview with H. S. Allen, Esq., a pioneer resident, who,
being a friend of the Indians, persuaded him to venture.
Meeting his boys, as before arranged, he selected two of
them, A-ge-mah-we-ge-zhig and A-zha-wasli-co-ge-zhig, and
with Messrs. Coleman and Barrett and Elijah Ermatinger
for interpreter, rode to Eaii Claire, the 19th of February,
1865, welcomed with a cordiality that at once inspired
mutual confidence. The native nobility of these sous of the
northern forests created quite a sensation. A-ge-mah-we-
ge-zhig related his eagle adventures in a very intelligent
manner, so simple and candid as to assure every one present
of their truthfulness. His father, who is much beloved as
chief of the tribe, was particularly loquacious and is prop-
erly named Ah-monse, the "Thunder of Bees." He had
much to say about his "Great Father Lincoln," whom he
has visited several times at "Washington in the interest of his
tribe, averring that Mr. Lincoln gave him plenty of money,
and to his children much land, and let him see a battle-
field." Photographs of these "red brothers" were taken
by A. J. Devor, of Eau Claire, and never did mortal appear
more proud than the eagle captor when attiring himself
in regal costume for his carte de visite. A full-blooded
Indian of consequence — then about twenty-five years old —
belonging to the royal family of the Flambeaux, it is glory
enough for him to be known among his fellows as the
captor of the American eagle of the Eighth Wisconsin
regiment of volunteers.
The following letter, with a map, gives an accurate
description of the infant home of the Eagle:
HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Chippewa Falls, "Wisconsin.
February 25, 1865.
My Dear Brother: — According to your request, I will
give you what information I have obtained of the Chip-
pewa country, and especially of the home of your Pet
Eagle. Inclosed I send you a map of this country, being
a perfect copy from J. I. Lloyd's New Map of the United
States, with a slight change in the location of the Flambeau
Lakes and tributaries, which are copied from a drawing
made for me by Ah-monse and the Eagle Indian. I can
find no maps representing the United States' surveys of
these lakes. Today I saw Israel Gould, the Indian Inter-
preter, who rendered you so valuable assistance last sum-
mer on your Indian expedition. At my request he drew a
map of the Flambeau and its lakes, and it agreed precisely
with the drawing made by Ah-monse and his son. Mr.
Gould is an intelligent Scotchman, and has lived with the
Chippewa Indians for fifteen years. He has a good knowl-
edge of Indian character and probably is one of the best
of Indian interpreters. At one time he lived one year at
Flambeau Lake, or Ah-monse 's Lake, as it is most gen-
erally called, trading with Ah-monse and his tribe, and,
consequently, he is well acquainted with their country.
I have much confidence in his account of the location of
these lakes ; and as all the other Indian traders and trap-
pers, and Ah-monse, and the Eagle Indian do agree with
him, I believe you can rely upon my map as being correct.
I will give his description of this country :
The whole Chippewa country is well watered with
innumerable streams, swamps, lakes and rivers; its surface
varies in hills and blufl's, prairies, oak openings and mead-
ows, and is covered, for the most part, with every variety
of hardwood, Norway and white pine.
The soil in many places is good, while many of the hills
and bluflfs are rocky, and in its northern portions are to
be found iron, copper and other minerals. It is inhabited
by the various tribes of the Chippewa Indians, and abounds
in wild beasts, fish and birds. The Flambeau is a wide,
crooked stream, the longest tributary of the Chippewa, and
its general course is southwest. Upon its north fork are
the "rapids," at which place the Eagle Indian said he
caught the eagl,e. It is about 125 miles from Eau Claire,
70 miles from the mouth of the Flambeau River, and 80
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR
or 90 miles from Lake Superior. It is three miles from here
to Little Flambeau, or Asken Lake, which is three miles
long; six miles further north is Flambeau, or Ah-monse's
Lake — a stream uniting the two. This is the largest of
the Flambeau lakes, being three miles wide and six long.
It is a beautiful stream of clear, pure water, where are
found fish of many varieties. The meaning of its Indian
name is "Fire-Hunting Lake." Near its northern shore
is a fine island, Avhere Ah-monse frequently lives. On its
eastern shore is a pretty sloping hill, nearly forty feet
high, covered with maples. Here, overlooking the lake, the
Indians, a few years ago, had their villages, which are now
located on the north and northwest shores, where they had
cleared their land, leaving now and then a shade tree,
giving the country a beautiful appearance. The soil is
good, and here they raise their corn and potatoes. Farther
to the north is Rice Lake, the Chain of Lakes, the Big
Portage, and the Montreal River. A few years ago this
was the route of the Indian tradei's, going from Lake
Superior to Eau Claire. The country near the lakes, for
two miles east and west of the river, and about four miles
in all directions from the lakes, is low prairie land, cov-
ered with hardwoods, with here and there a lonesome
pine ; while beyond, in all directions, the country is uneven
and hilly, and wooded with the dark pine. In this seques-
tered country, Ah-monse and his tribe have lived for many
years, subsisting upon their corn and potatoes, rice and
sugar, fish and game. The Flambeau tribe is the most
enterprising and intelligent of the Chippewas. Their war-
riors number from 140 to 150 men, and they kill more
game than any other tribe. Here are found the deer and
elk, the mink and marten, the bear and otter, and also
the fish hawk, the owl, the eagle and other birds.
Mr. Gould says the region of the Flambeau Lakes is
an eagle country, he having seen more there than in any
other, and has there found many eagles' nests, containing
from two to four young birds. Having seen the War
Eagle at different times, he is satisfied it is a bald eagle,
and this is the opinion of A-ge-mah-we-ge-zhig. Mr. Gould
also says Asken Lake is situated about five miles east of
the fourth principal meridian, which line is well defined
upon the river bank ; and, if he is correct, and I rely upon
his statement, then the Eagle must have been caught in
72 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIEE COUNTY
Chippewa county, in or near township forty, north of range
one, east of the fourth principal meridian, nearly four miles
from its eastern boundary.
Trusting my map and letter may aid you in obtaining
a better idea of the home of the Eagle,
I remain, your brother for Freedom and Union,
"W. "W. Barrett.
By examining the map, the reader will notice the loca-
tion of the birthplace of the eagle that is now so famous in
the world. His captor said the nest was found on a pine
tree, about three miles from the mouth of the Flambeau,
near some rapids in a curve of the river ; that, at the proper
time, just after sugar-making, at the Bend, he and another
Indian cut the tree down, and, amid the menaces of the
parent birds, caught two young eaglets, of a grayish-brown
color, about the size of prairie hens, one of which died of
the effects of an injury; that he preserved the old nest —
"big as a wash tub — made of sticks, turf and weeds" —
and nursed his Me-kee-zeen-ce (little eagle) in it, as a
plaything for the papooses at the Indian village; that, a
few weeks after, while en route for Chippewa Falls and
Eau Claire with their furs, moccasins and baskets, he sold
his eagle to Daniel McCann for a bushel of corn.
This statement of "Chief Sky" — quite a significant
name — agrees with that of Mr. McCann, who subsequently
tried to sell the bird to a company then just forming at
the Falls for the First Wisconsin battery, but, failing,
carried it to Eau Claire, some time in August, 1861, and
offered it to a company organizing for the Eighth Wis-
consin infantry. It was then about two months old.
McCann carried the eagle to Chippewa Falls and
attempted to sell him to a company just recruiting there
for the First Wisconsin battery. Failing in this, he pro-
ceeded a little later to Eau Claire and offered the bird,
now nearly full-grown and handsome, but spiteful as a
scorpion, to the Eau Claire "Badgers," that subsequently
became Company C, of the Eighth or Eagle regiment.
Captain John E. Perkins hesitated at first about accept-
ing such a strange volunteer, but finally agreed to take
him to the front.
It was mainly through the sagacity and foresight of
R. F. Wilson, an influential resident, who argued "nothing
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR \
could be better chosen, not even the flag itself, to ensure
fame and success," they looked upon it in a favorable light,
and after a siu-geonlike examination of the eyes, claws,
beak, wings and plumage, concluded by a jocose vote to
accept "the new recruit from Chippewa." A little flurry
ensued about contributions, when S. M. Jeffers, a civilian,
purchased the bird for two dollars and a half, and pre-
sented it to the company.
In due time the eagle was sworn into the United States
service by putting around his neck red, white and blue
ribbons, and on his breast a rosette of the same colors.
James McGiunis craved the privilege of superintending
the eagle, to which all tacitly assented.
In a few days he produced quite a respectable perch
and two patriotic ladies made some little flags to be carried
on each side of him, when on the march ; and gay and
imposing indeed did he appear as he rode in imperial state
beneath those miniature "'stars and stripes" through the
principal streets of Eau Claire, inspired by martial music
and cheered by the enthusiastic people.
"OLD ABE'S" BATTLES
1861
Fredericktown, Mo October 21
1862
New Madrid and Island "10" March and April
Point Pleasant, Mo March 20
Farmington, Miss May 9
Corinth, Miss May 28
luka, Miss September 12
Burnsville, Miss September 13
luka. Miss September 16-18
Corinth, Miss October 3-4
Tallehatchie, Miss December 2
1863
Mississippi Springs, Miss May 13
Jackson, Miss May 14
Assault on Vicksburg, Miss May 22
Mechanicsburg, Miss June 4
HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Richmond, La June 15
Vieksburg, Miss June 24
Surrender of Vieksburg July 4
Brownsville, Miss October 14
1864
Fort Scurry, La March 13
Port De Russey, La March 15
Henderson's Hill, La March 21
Grand Ecore, La April 2
Pleasant Hill, La April 8-9
Natchitoches, La April 20
Kane River, La April 22
Clouterville and Crane Hill, La April 23
Bayou Rapids, La May 2
Bayou La Monre, La May 3
Bayou Roberts, La May 4-6
Moore 's Plantation, La May 8-12
Mansura, La May 16
Maysville, La May 17
Calhoun's Plantation, La May 18
Bayou De Glaise, La May 18
Lake Chicot, Ark June 6
Hurricane Creek, Miss August 13
Two battles were fought by the regiment while the
eagle and veterans were home on furlough — Carmargo
Crossroads, Miss., July 13, and Tupelo, Miss., July 14
and 15.
WAR BEARERS OF THE EAGLE
1. James McGinnis, of Eau Claire, from Sept. 1, 1861,
to May 30, 1862.
2. Thomas J. Plill, Eau Claire, from May 30, 1862, to
Aug. 18, 1862.
3. David McLain, of Menomonie, from August, 1862, to
October, 1862.
4. Edward Hummaston, of Eau Claire, from October,
1862, to September, 1863.
5. Johu Buckhardt, of Eau Claire, from September,
1863, to September, 1864.
6. John T. Hill, of Ashland, during the journey home,
from Memphis to Madison, in September, 1864.
EAU CLAIRE COUXTY IX THE CIVIL WAR
"ABES" PEACE ATTENDANTS
1. John McFarland, state armorer.
2. Angus R. McDonald, Eleventh Wisconsin int'antr\-.
3. John G. Stock, Fourth Wisconsin cavalry.
4. E. G. Linderman, Fifth Wisconsin volunteer infantry.
5. William J. Jones, Sixteenth Wisconsin volunteer
infantry.
G. George W. Baker, Nineteenth Wisconsin volunteer
infantry.
7. L E. Troan, civilian.
8. John F. Hill, Eighth Wisconsin volunteer infantry.
9. Peter B. Field, civilian.
10. Mark Smith, Seventh Wisconsin volunteer infantry.
11. George Gillies, Second Wisconsin volunteer infantry.
At the close of his war career ' ' Old Abe " ' was presented
by the company to the state and a place was provided
for him at the state capitol at Madison, Avhere he was
viewed by thotisands. He was also taken to various parts
of the United States, being in great demand all over. He
attended national conventions, was taken to the great cen-
tennial at Philadelphia and other noted gatherings, where
he was the center of attraction. Space forbids a more
detailed history of incidents and anecdotes concerning this
famous war bird.
He was adored by the members of tlie Eagle company
and the Eagle regiment and on the field of battle he Avas
always able to locate his regiment and company. The war
anecdotes alone in which this bird figured would fill a
book. He also attended the regimental reunions.
Toward evening of a cold day in the winter of 1881 a
fire started mysteriously in a quantity of paints and oils
stored in the basement of the capitol, near Old Abe's large
cage. The blaze created an enormous volume of black and
offensive smoke, which at once filled the cage to suffocation.
Abe, understanding full well the nature of what was
going on around him, sent forth such a scream as had
never before been heard in that building. Attendants and
watchmen rushed below to learn the cause of the startling
outcry, and before attacking the flames, opened the door
of the perch-room. The eagle, with another piercing
screech, swept swiftly out and away from the smudge.
1 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
He seemed to be either frightened or injured by the
smoke, for his breast heaved, his heart labored heavily and
his plumage was disheveled. Nor was he ever well there-
after. He ate sparingly or not at all; his eyes lost their
wonderful luster; he sat around in a half-comatose condi-
tion for a few days, and on March 26, 1881, with a slight
tremor and a few feeble flaps of his wings, expired in the
arms of his stout keeper, George Gillies.
George said that Abe seemed to know he was about to
die, for when he asked solicitously, "Must we lose you,
Abe?" the old bird raised up his head and looked wistfully
into the keeper's face and then sunk back into his arms
and passed away. Around him were numbers of one-legged
and one-armed veterans whose sad faces showed that they
had lost a beloved comrade.
At first the general desire among the soldiers was to
have Abe buried in the beautiful Forest Hill cemetery,
where rest two hundred Union and one hiuidred and fifty
Confederate dead, with appropriate military ceremonies
and under a handsome monument.
The suggestion that the taxidermist's art would pre-
serve him to the sight for an indefinite period dispelled
those notions, and he was turned over to Major C. G.
Mayers, who, after preserving and stuffing the warrior-
bird, fixed him firmly to a neat perch as he stood for years
in the war museum of the capital.
His mounted body was destroyed in the second capital
fire some years later.
Thomas Randall, in his "History of the Chippewa
Valley," credits the pioneer lumberman, Stephen S.
McCann, as being the man who purchased the eagle from
its Indian captor, and this error has been quite generally
copied. From extracts given from Rev. Barrett's book it
will be seen that it is Daniel McCann to whom this honor
belongs. A cousin of mine who visited the Daniel McCann
farm in Chippewa county shortly before the eagle was
brought to Eau Claire saw it tied to a barrel in the door-
yard. Little did he realize how great the fame of this
bird was to become. I am furnishing you a picture of
Old Abe, the war eagle, also a picture of its Indian captor,
also an extract from the old Free Press confirming the
circumstances connected with the taking of the young
chief's picture.
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 77
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS ^"""^
(Eau Claire Free Press, Feb. 23, 1865.)
Last Suuda}' about uooi:, three Indians of the Flambeau tribe
came into town, taking up their temporary abode at the residence
of Rev. J. 0. Barrett. Through the courtesy of Theodore Cole-
man, editor of the Chippewa Falls Union, Mr. Barrett got track
of these dusky fellows far up in tlie "big woods," and on the
day they touched the nearest point on the Chippewa river, he
had th( 111 fiit;ai;fil to visit him at the earliest possible date for
the purpdsc oi' -ctting information relative to the eagle of the
Eighth Wiscdiisiii, M'hich was captured by one of them in the
spring of 1861.
These visitors were none other than part of the royal family.
Ah-mouse (The Bee), chief of the tribe, and two of his sons,
Ogenia-wee-gee-zhick (Chief of the Sky) and Shaw-wau-ko-gee-
zhick (Blue Sky). Ah-monse, the oldest chief of the Chippewa
tribe, is a deliberate old man, prudent in his plans and courteous
in bearing. The same may be said of the others. He has three
other sons, Wau-saa-naa-go-nee-bee (Light), Pee-zhee-kanze and
E-squaa-bit (Outside of the Others). Ah-monse stated that many
years ago, before Avhite man settled here, he was in a battle with
the Sioux, on the west side, near the village of West Eau Claire,
and that he there killed "one Indian." Of this he spoke with
animated pride. Ogema-wee-gee-zhick is the Indian who captured
the eagle, and from him Mr. Barrett obtained all the information
he desired, which is peculiarly interesting. In due time it will
appear in his history of the celebrated bird. He seems to be
conscious of his importance, and no doubt will be recognized as
such by his tribe, as well as by the pale faces who have an
affection for the American eagle. Arrangements could not be
consistently made with these Indians to remain until Monday, so
their likenesses were taken on the Sabbath, that of the Eagle
Indian intended for a steel engraving for the history. They can
be seen at the Devoe's photograph rooms and are very finely
executed.
DEPARTURE OF THE BADGERS
(Free Press, Sept. 19, 1861.)
The Eau Claire Badgers took their departure from this place
for Madison, preparatory to a campaign in "Secessia," last Friday
morning on board the steamboat Stella Whipple. Nearly every
78 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
community in this county and Chippewa has its representative —
a volunteer offering in the cause of patriotism — in the ranks of
the company, and this, with the fact that the company is to go
off into active service almost immediately, combined to make the
occasion one of more than ordinary interest to people of the
upper Chippewa valley. The company formed in front of the
Eau Claire House about 10 o'clock, and after a little preliminary
marching, proceeded to tlie boat, greeted on the way by cheers
and good-byes innumerable. At the boat a large concourse was
gathered, and the next half-hour was spent in leave-taking. The
scene was truly an effective one. Everybody was busy with the
"parting offices" to relatives or friends.
"Shout, sob and greeting,
Love's deep devotion constantly meeting,"
marked the passing moments. Hands were shaken time and
again, "good-byes" repeated over and over, words of blessing,
encouragement, cheer and advice passed reciprocally many times.
At last, after repeated impatient importunities from the whistle
of the boat, and call after call from the officers, the company
was all gotten aboard and the boat slowly left the shore, amid
multiplied cheers and parting calls and adjurations, succeeded by
waving of hats and handkerchiefs, till the boat rounded the bend
and was out of view.
The company, we understand, reached Prairie du Chien on
Sunday and probably reached Madison the next day. The passage
to Prairie du Chien was attended by many demonstrations and
enthusiasm along the river.
Before the completed Badger company had left the village,
in the Eau Claire Free Press of September 5, mc find the fol-
lowing :
"ANOTHER COMPANY
"We hear it rumored that another company will be gotten up
here forthwith. The noble response from every direction to fill
the Badger ranks demonstrated that another company could be
immediately raised. The present company numbers about 100
men, and within six weeks that number can be doubled with the
right kind of timely effort. We have fine military ability left
yet, and we hope it will come voluntarily into service. Who will
come forward and take the initiative?"
In the Free Press of October 10 we find a notice of a war
meeting to organize this second company, and in the following
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 79
issue a statement that the meeting had been held and a good
start made. John R. Wheeler, John Kelly, M. E. O'Connell and
Malcolmn Reed are named as prime movers in the project.
THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY GUARDS
(Free Press, Oct. 31, 1861.)
What an eulogium upon the patriotism of the valley is the
fact that such numbers have gone to the wars; and yet the
number is rapidly increasing. The Chippewa Valley Guards are
daily adding to their numbers, and at the present rate their
ranks will soon be complete. The work of recruiting goes on
nobly. M. E. O'Connell is drilling the company and is making
good headway.
(Free Press, Dec. 5, 1861.)
The members of the Cliippewa Valley Guards met on Monday
evening and elected, without a dissenting vote, John R. Wheeler
as their captain. This is a high and well deserved compliment.
Mr. Wheeler has won the confidence of all the members of his
company, and by his energy in getting it up, the admiration of
our citizens.
(Free Press, Dec. 19, 1861.)
On Monday evening a grand ball was given at Reed's hall
to the Chippewa Valley Guards, at which time a beautiful flag,
a gift from the patriotic ladies of Eau Claire, was presented to
the company. The hall was crowded to its utmost capacity. At
about half past nine o'clock the members of the guards were
foi-med in line by M. E. O'Connell, and after a short exhibition
showing what proficiency they had obtained in di-illing, were
addressed by H. W. Barnes, Esq., in a neat and appropriate
presentation speech.
Mr. Porter was called upon to respond for the guards.
The company here gave three rousing cheers for the ladies
of Eau Claire. The next morning an immense throng of people
gathered to witness the departure of the guards. They marched
up to the front of the public building to the tune of "The Girl
I Left Behind Me," where blankets were furnished and vehicles
were provided for their conveyance to Sparta.
A noticeable feature in the procession was a live eagle. This
is the second bird of this kind that has gone to the war from
Eau Claire; and his imperial highness seemed to enjoy it hugely.
80 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Note. — I find no further mention of this eagle, and do not
know his fate. He certainly never attained the fame of Old Abe
of the Eighth Wisconsin. W. W. B.
Below we give the names of the men who answered the roll
call and took their departure : John R. Wheeler, M. E. 0 'Coiniell,
Robert Corbett, W. A. Wilcox, 0. H. Browning, Edwin Daily,
S. W. Jennings, Daniel E. Stevens, Martin IMiley, Joseph Monteith,
Noah Barnum, Russell Westeott, Patrick Redmond, William H.
Mower, R. B. Wall, H. M. Culbertson, Owen McGinnety, Phillip
Perry, Jaelcson P. Long, John McKernon, James Corwin, William
Lake, H. L. Ames, James B. Drew, John Taylor, John M. Jones,
Charles C. Fordice, David B. MeCourtie, William Marks, Sanders
Cochran, Thomas Megillen, James Smith, James V. Walker, Will-
iam Biss, John A. Hicks, James Crawford, John Corbett, Har-
rison Beebe, John Kelley, Louis R. Belknap, Andrew Chambers,
Lucius P. Robinson, W. W. Bartlett, W. W. Allen, Michael
Meegan, J. D. McViear, Abijah B. Moon, J. W. Clemens, Horace
W. Smith, William Sawley, Thomas W. McCauley, P. S. Drew,
James Hines, J. B. Vanvieck, Jacob S. Mower, Horace A. Pinch,
T. S. Kilgore, Thomas Denny, Charles Stewart, William Archer,
William H. Pond, John Rounds, James 0. Hatch, Charles Rich-
ardson, Michael Megillen, Alex McCloud, John C. Beers, Zachariah
C. Riley, Isab Jones.
As was always the case in the recruiting of companies,
there are some names to be found on this original list which
do not appear in the official roster of the company, showing
that these persons were not mustered into service in the
company, although some or all of them may have gone out
in other companies later on.
Of those enumerated above the following are not found
in the ofBcial roster of the company: Owen McGinnis,
Phillip Perry, James Corwin, James B. Drew, John Taylor,
William Marks, W. W. Allen, Abijah Moon, J. W. Clemens,
T. W. McCauley, T. S. Kilgore, Isab Jones.
On the other hand, the names given constitute but a
small part of those who were in this company during its
service, as the state roster contains no less than 267 names
of members of Company G, Sixteenth Wisconsin Volunteers.
The offices of first and second lieutenant were not filled until
the company reached Madison, where, on the 4th of January,
1862, William H. Pond, of Eau Claire, was chosen first lieutenant
CAl'T. .\. r. (iRFKK
K. BROWN
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 81
and Cyrus A. Allen, of North Pepin, second lieutenant. M. E.
O'Connell, who went out as first sergeant, became second lieu-
tenant in September, 1862. The Chippewa Valley Guards became
Company G of the Sixteenth Wisconsin, and before the close of
the war Captain Wheeler was promoted to the rank of major.
THE EAU CLAIRE RANGERS
Scarcely was the recruiting of the company known as the
Chippewa Valley Guards well begun before a move was made to
organize still a third company. Mr. Porter did not consider
this a wise move and his feelings are expressed in an editorial
under date of Nov. 14, 1861. It may be explained here that the
third company was being recruited by A. M. Sherman, and as
infantry. It was not until some weeks later that the decision
was made to change it to a cavalry company. Although at this
time Mr. Porter did not think it possible to recruit two com-
panies, and favored the Wheeler company only, still, later when
it was demonstrated that both companies could be made up, Mr.
Porter heartily complimented Sherman on his energy, persever-
ance and success.
(Free Press, Nov. 28, 1861.)
The Eau Claire Rangers, Captain A. M. Sherman, have
enlisted forty men at Patch Grove, near Prairie du Chien, and
are now accepted in Colonel Washburn's regiment of cavalry,
and will proceed at once to Avinter quarters at Milwaukee,
where they are to be furnished with horses, uniforms and equip-
ment. Their quarters are said to be comfortable, and attached
to them are parade grounds for cavalry drill and a hall for
fencing and gymnastic exercises. If the men who have enlisted
here come promptly to the scratch the company will leave this
place the first week in December. A few more are needed, and
as this is the only chance to join cavalry in the northwest, the
ranks will undoubtedly be filled at once. We can certainly com-
mend the energy of Captain Sherman in succeeding with the
company, and the fact is a high and well deserved compliment.
(Free Press, Dec. 1, 1861.)
Captain Sherman's company of cavalry, the Eau Claire
Rangers, left this place for Milwaukee Tuesday and Wednesday
of last week. Including those that went yesterday it numbered
seventy men, and without disparagement to any other we may
82 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
safely say that in point of size and muscular development they
were the finest body of men that will probably leave this state.
The following is a list of officers and enlisted men of the
rangers : Captain, A. M. Sherman ; first lieutenant, Israel H. Bur-
banks; second lieutenant, Thomas J. Nary; orderly sergeant, E. J.
Meyers; camp quartermaster sergeant, Byron Wells; sergeants,
James LeRoy, Pierre Hartman, Benjamin T. Buck, Alex McNaugh-
ton ; corporals, Phillip Haug, Malcomb Reed, L. L. Lancaster,
B. F. Lockwood, A. H. Ilolstead, George W. S. Hyde, Milo B.
Wyman, George Murphy; privates, Hiram Larrabee, J. L. Daven-
port, Phil. Hutchins, "William Chatwood, Daniel D. Ellis, Joseph
Z. Black, Milton Toffelmire, Josh T. Thompson, Truman Edwards,
Henry Armstrong, George Swan, John Lang, August J. Fox,
Otis N. Cole, Claus Torgenson, Hiram Chamberlin, J. S. Hastings,
Pliny D. Rumrill, John J. Whi^glfi, Charles Baird, Andrew Poller,
Christ McDonald, Edwin L. Andrews, Michael Johannis, Hugh
Fitzpatrick, William H. Stowe, HaiTison Beeman, John 0. Gates,
Joy H. Chase, Albert Dunbar, Charles Swan, M. F. Stevens, Danii'l
Gillinore, Daniel Robbins, Isaac 0. Stephens, Jerome B. Evans,
James T. Livermore, J. B. Bateman, George P. Moses, Romeo
Bostwick, Levi F. Decker, George Robinson, Davis Houck, W. F.
Hall, Michael Egan. W. E. Knight, George E. Bonell, M. M.
Persons, Elbridge C. Pride, G. F. Bannister, William H. Vasey,
G. A. Fiddler, Chapin Cutting, John Vaugh, Isaac K. Knight,
Asigal Wyman, George Manchester, Henry Hartman, George Bur-
pee, Marquis L. Coon, Oscar A. Dunbar, Abijah Moon, Martin
Sebald, Thomas Powell, George W. Holstead, Alphonso Hulbert,
Jacob Richtman, Darius Craig, John Reddle, Joseph W. Root,
Charles Loomis, George W. Groom, H. W. Cartwright, John
Seaver, Orin 0. Olur, John Bloom, Ransom Wilkes, William
Chatwood. The Eau Claire Rangers subsequently became Com-
pany L of the Second Wisconsin cavalry.
Editor Telegram: — After much effort I have finally prevailed
upon Captain A. M. Sherman to tell the story of his company,
Company L of the Second Wisconsin cavalry, the only cavalry
company recruited in this section.
SHERMAN'S NARRATIVE
I reached Eau Claire in 18-57, and besides being engaged in
the sawmill and lumber business, was for a time engineer on
some of the Chippewa river steamboats. I was running the Stella
Whipple when it took Company C, Captain Perkins' company,
)>^,^UU'^1aA
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IX THE CIVIL WAR 83
to LaCrosse, and well remember the ovation given to the company
on its arrival there. About this time a letter was received from
my father asking if any of his sons had buckled on their armor
in defense of their country. If not he would have to set an
example for us. I was anxious to take a hand in the struggle,
and different ones had suggested that I raise a company. Among
those making this suggestion was John Kelly, later Captain
Kelly, who had charge of a crew of rivermen for Chapman &
Thorp. I started to Madison to make arrangements for raising
the company, but on my return found Kelly had been persuaded
to join forces with John Wheeler, who was then raising a com-
pany, and whose project had the support of the leading news-
paper of the place, while my own efforts in that direction were
criticised and discouraged. My company was, as Wheeler's, to
be an infantry company.
I soon got about forty men on my list. Then for a time
recruiting was nearly at a standstill in both t-ompanies. At this
point a suggestion came to me, which, although it did not fully
solve the problem, went far toward doing so. This was to change
from an infantry to a cavalry company. I had found quite a
number who stood ready to enlist in cavah-y, but who would not
enlist in an infantry company. The change was brought about
as follows: Having decided that it would be advisable to change
to a cavalry company, I immediately wrote a letter to Cakmel
Washburn, who, I heard, had just been commissioned to raise a
second cavalry regiment. Just as I was about to put the letter
in the mail I met a Lieutenant Luxton, who had come to the
village to pick up recruits and I confided my whole plan to him.
He said I had struck the right person; that it would not be
necessary to send the letter to Washburn, as Washburn had
authorized him to get recruits. Also said I could go on and make
up my company and I could go out as captain of same. I then
told Luxton that I thought he ought to withdraw from the ter-
ritory and leave it to me. He consented; said he would go up
to Chippewa Falls and pick up a few men who had already
promised to go, and then would leave. I started down to Durand
and around in' that vicinity, was gone some days, and on my
return was surprised to find Luxton still there picking up recruits.
I asked him what he meant by this, but he assured me that it
would be all right; that he thought that he could get some of
these men better than myself, but that the recruits would be
divided and I would get my men just the same. I soon realized
that this man Luxton was a very unreliable man to do business
84 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
with, so I interviewed Colonel Washburn personally and made a
trip to Milwaukee for that purpose. Colonel Washburn was
pleased and said the matter could be arranged. He explained liis
plan and gave me a letter to a Mr. Wood, of Patch Grove, near
Milwaukee, which read about as follows:
"Dear Sir: — This will introduce to you Mr. A. M. Sherman,
of Eau Claire, who is raising a company of cavalry Avith the
intention of not being brigaded with another company. Yourself
and Captain Dale, of Racine, have received commissions from
me to raise two companies to be brigaded, he to take the senior
captaincy and you the junior captaincy. I find that Captain Dale
is guilty of double dealing in having accepted this commission
from me and being now engaged in recruiting for the Barstow
regiment. I therefore now throw Captain Dale over entirely and
would ask you to turn your recruits in with A. M. Sherman,
and when the company is made up he will be the captain of the
same and yourself first lieutenant. The balance of the officers
will be elected alternately from .your own and Captain Sherman 's
recruits."
I went to Patch Grove, found Wood sick in bed, considerably
discouraged and well pleased to fall in with the new plan. Up
to this time I had been working at a great disadvantage in
getting recruits, for those who were backing the Wheeler company
asserted that there was no show for me making up the requisite
number for the company, and even if I made it up there was
no assurance that a cavalry company could be gotten into service.
Now the acquisition of the recruits from Patch Grove nearly
made up the required number, and I had Colonel Washburn's
word that the company would be accepted. I came back to the
village, announced the success of my mission, and started in
enthusiastically to recruit the number more needed to make up a
full company. But recruits came slowly both for myself and
Wheeler. When matters were at nearly a standstill Lieutenant
Luxton again appeared on the scene. Meeting me, he said:
"Hello Sherman, how are j'ou making 't?'' "Pretty ?low,'' T
said. "A few more recruits are needed yet and they are hard to
find." "Why don't you go over to Black River Falls? A com-
pany has gone to pieces there and I could have gotten twenty
men there yesterday if I had wanted them. ' ' Forgetting my pre-
vious experience with Luxton, I quickly engaged a livery team
and drove to Black River Falls; found there Avas not a word of
truth in Luxton 's statement, and no men to be had. One of
the first persons I met there was Captain Wheeler, who had come
BAU CLAIRE COT'XTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 85
on tlie same fool's errand as myself. We went back together,
better friends than ever, and found that during our absence
Luxton had been trying his best to get Wheeler's and my men
to leave and go with him. Notwithstanding the discouragement
and Luxton 's treachery, I persevered, and finally got the requisite
number of recruits enrolled. Just then I received perhaps the
most bitter disappointment of my life. A letter was received
from Washburn stating that the recruits a-t Patch Grove had held
a meeting and decided that they would not consolidate Avith mine,
but would go ahead and fill up their own ranks, and Wood had
sent word to Washburn that they would soon appear in camp
with a fuU company. This left me without the requisite number
of men, and no assurance of acceptance if the company was filled.
I did not dare tell the boys of the condition of affairs. Here
were some sixty odd of the best men of the Chippewa valley or of
the country, who were fully expecting to be sworn into service
without delay, and I alone knew that there were no grounds for
that belief. It was a forlorn hope, but I went on with my prepa-
rations to start for camp near Jlilwaukee, trusting that in some
way, I knew not how, a solution of the difficulty would be found.
Having no governmental authority, there was no financial backing
for the venture, except myself. The boys did not know it, but I
personally paid the entire expenses of the company to Sparta and
at that place. At Sparta we took the train for .Mihvaulvi-e. The
boys were going to war, so they thought, and wci'c running over
■with animal spirit. At one or two of the stations a supply of a
different kind of spirits was taken on board, and this added to
their hilarity. The conductor came around and asked for cer-
tificates of transportation. I told him I had none. He was sur-
prised and said that I must pay their fare or they would be put
off the train. I told him I could not pay their fare if I would,
and as for putting them off the train, I suggested that it might
not be a very safe thing to try with tliose lumberjacks ; and the
sounds which came from the other car added emphasis to my
words. Then he said that at the next junction he would have
to uncouple the car and leave it on the switch. I replied that
this would not work either, for we had started for Milwaukee
and were going there, and on the least show of uncoupling the
car we would take possession of the train. I was a railroad man
myself and could run the engine, and I knew I could make up
the balance of a train crew from my company. That put an
end to objections on his part, and we continued on our journey,
finallv reaching Milwaukee. But what was I to do now that I
86 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
was there? I had a magiiifieeiit body of men much above the
average height and firmly built. I had taken pains to niimber
and rank them in order of height, and this added much to their
military appearance. Getting them in line after leaving the cars,
they made a showing to be proud of. Just then a man in the
undress uniform of an oificer of the regular army drove vip and
stopped to look at them. .He then inquired of a bystander where
they were from. "From Eau Claire," was the answer. "Who
is their captain?" I was pointed out. "Well," said he, "I
have seen every regiment of the regular army and every regiment
that has gone out from this state, but this is the finest looking
body of men that I ever saw in line."' Getting into his carriage
beside him, I quietly asked him to drive a little distance away,
and then 1 told him the awful fix I was in. "Don't worry,"
said he. "I can assure j'ou that Washburn will be very glad
to get those men. March them around to headquarters." With
a lighter heart than I had carried for weeks, I marched the
boys around and stood them in line on the walk across the
street from Washburn's headquarters. I was then led into the
hotel, where I met Colonel Washburn. He came out and looked
at the boys across the street. There was no further question in
regard to their acceptance. He wanted those boys — and more
like them if they could be obtained.
Washburn's first suggestion was that my company be con-
solidated with another company, with a division of officers. I
told him that my boys had been promised that they should elect
their own officers, and this was acceded to. We found Captain
Wood there. Instead of a full company as promised, he had
not much more than half the required number. We were given
quarters and at last were actually sM-orn into the service of
the government.
I got my men into quarters, drew rations, blankets and fuel
and then took the train back to Eau Claire to get a few more
recruits who were not ready to go when the company left.
Returning to Milwaukee a few days later I found the strife
between Washburn and ex-Governor Barstow redhot. The occa-
sion for this rivalry was that an order had been received from
the war department stating that but one cavalry regiment would
be received, and this would be the first one ready to take the
field. There were at this time three cavalry regiments in process
of formation : That of Prof. Edward Daniels, of Ripon, with ren-
dezvous on the lake shore above Milwaukee; C. C. Washburn's
regiment, with rendezvous at Milwaukee, and ex-Governor Bar-
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 87
stow's regiment, with rendezvous at Janesville. I found that
during my absence at Eau Claire I had lost four of my men,
who had been induced to go into the Barstow regiment, among
them being my Rank 1 man, who stood six feet four. It appears
that an agent of Barstow had been treating the boys pretty
liberally to liquor, and when in a somewhat mellow condition had
spirited them off to Janesville. I immediatelj' took the train and
went after those boys. Arriving at Janesville, I hunted up Bar-
stow and told him my errand. The ex-governor was very cordial.
Said he liked my style. . Pointing to a half-barrel of whisky and
a glass on top of same, he said: "Help yourself. Let's take
a drink," which we did. Then, coming back to my request for
the return of my men, he said that was out of the question,
and emphasized it with some strong profanity, in which the
ex-governor was an expert. Said that those men should never
go back, as anything he got from Colonel Washburn he intended
to keep. After a few minutes spent in conversation at the ofSce,
Barstow ordered a horse for himself and another one for me
and said, "Let's go down to the barracks and see the troops.
I want to show you my regiment." After another drink we
started. As we rode along I again insisted on the return of
those men ; told him I could not muster in without them. Barstow
continued firm, declaring those men could not go, but that he
would "loan" me as many more to assist me in mustering. As
may be inferred, this "loaning" of recruits was not a strictly
regular procedure, but was sometimes resorted to by those who
lacked a few of the required number of recruits, and was winked
at by those higher in authority.
We rode out to the barracks. I found the regiment enclosed
in a stockade built of sixteen-foot planks set vertically. After
we had been there a short time Barstow became engaged in
conversation with some of his regimental officers and I remarked
that I would look around for a while, to which the ex-governor
replied, "All right, captain; go ahead." I soon ran onto my
boys. They were glad to see me and anxious to get back. One
of the boys was on patrol. I planned with him that he should
pry one plank loose at the bottom, and then, as opportunity
offered, the boys were to slip through and take the railroad
track for Milwaukee, my rank man having both feet badly frozen,
as he had on only a pair of tight boots. Nothing of unusual
interest occui-red during our stay in Milwaukee, only regimental
and sword drill, etc. It may be proper to state here that
eventually all three of the cavalry companies were accepted.
88 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
We left Milwaukee in early spring and went to Benton Bar-
racks, St. Louis, where we drew our horses. I assisted in the pur-
chase of 10,000 horses. Trainloads were brought from all direc-
tions. The test was to race each horse straightaway forty rods
and back. The rider would then dismount, a man would grab
the horse by the bridle with whip in hand and circle the horse
at full speed in as short turns as possible. This to test the wind.
If the wind was found all right the horses were further examined
for other defects. If accepted the buyer announced "Inside"
and if not accepted "outside." That ended the matter. It
was useless for the seller to say a word. Twelve regiments were
mounted, eleven in solid colors, mostly bays. Two battalions
of the second Wisconsin were mounted and the balance on mixed
colors. I conceived the idea that each company should have a
distinct color. There were enough of each to mount a company
of blacks, grays, red roans and "clay banks," These last were
a breed imported from Europe and raised mostly in Missouri.
They had black manes, tails and legs and a black stripe down
the spine. The body color was about that of yellow clay, from
which they took their name.
About this time the rebel General Stuart's Black Horse Cavalry
had been making some of its dashing raids and blacks were much
in favor and considered the ideal cavalry horse. All the com-
panies wanted the blacks so the choice of colors was settled by
ballet. Captain Richmond got the blacks, Capt. Von Heyde the
red roans, Capt. Whytoek the grays and I got the claybanks.
I was so disappointed that I offered Captain Richmond all the
money I had if he Avould exchange, but he laughed at me. I
considered the claybanks the poorest of all, and tried to trade
for the grays or red roans, but with no better success. The red
roans Avere a pony built horse with round quarters, strong loins
and sloping shoulders, and as many of my men were the heaviest
in the regiment I thought the roans would be more suitable, but
I had to content myself with the claybanks. It was now early
summer. My brother Stanton visited me on a furlough, he be-
longing to the First Iowa Cavalry, a regiment where each man
furnished his own horse. I was glad to see him for he had
already had some experience in the cavalry. I was relating to
him my disappointment in the matter of horses when he replied,
"you have the best cavalry horse in the world." "How so?"
said I. He replied "The claybank is the most tractable, docile
and yet fearless, and will learn the bugle call before his rider
does. We have some of them in our regiment and they excel all
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 89
others. You let me take j'Oiir company into the amphitheater for
a few days and I will drill them for you, and then I'll show
you," which he did more or less for two weeks.
At the first call for regimental drill for the sword, mounted,
there was a great surprise in store for the regiment. We were
formed in line, swords with metal scabbard and steel chains
hanging at the left side, bridle rein in the left hand, right arm
hanging down by the right side. Now, we were all lined up, as
perfect as we can get our horses, waiting for the first command,
which is "Draw-sabers." At the command "Draw" each man
throws his right arm across his body, grasps his sword, and draws
it up six inches in the scabbard, and as he gets the word "saber"
it leaps from the scabbard, passes the body to the right with its
point skyward, straight with the arms aud at an angle of about
thirty degrees. Now notice what happens. A thousand arms
swinging together on to the hilts of a thousand sabers and rais-
ing them six inches in their metal scabbards with a rattling of
steel chains and then the flash of a thousand blades in the sun-
light, and where are you at? Every company stampeded except
the claybauks. The scene was picturesque, and somewhat tragic,
for a few riders were thrown from their mounts. Horses Avere
rearing and plunging in great confusion. This ended the drill
for that day, aud claybauks stock was at a premium. A feeling
of envy was shown by some of the officers of the other companies,
and on the part of company L there was a greater pride in their
horses and from that time on they received the best of care. My
brother Stanton was induced by Col. Washburn and myself to
act as scout for our regiment, being attached to my company,
he having been promised a transfer from the Iowa cavalry to
which he belonged.
After the expiration of a few weeks spent at Benton Barracks
we received marching orders for Springfield, Mo. Nothing of
special interest occurred on the way, except that I might relate
a little incident which occurred at the small village of RoUa.
There was a company of "Home Guards" in charge of this place.
Now from my own experience and observation I have no very
high opinion of these Home Guards. Doubtless some of them were
entirely true and loyal but on the other hand many of them
seemed to have joined these organizations to prevent themselves
from being drawn into field service, on either side, and their
attitude was that of Good Lord or Good Devil to which ever of
the two opposing forces might seem to be in the ascendancy at
anv particular time. Several of my boys in taking in the town
90 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
had conimitted some minor offense and had been lodged by these
Home Guards in a guard house or calaboose. Word was brought
to me of this by some of the other boys. That day I was mounted
on a horse which was the private property of one of my company,
Philip Hanck. Old residents will remember the man well. He
and another man kept a hotel on the corner opposite the Galloway
House. The liorse was a "leopard" stallion, or part Arabian
blood, a splendid animal, perfectly fearless and would carry its
rider anywhere. I went to the commander of the Guards, told
him my company was to leave in the early morning, that I would
see to the conduct of my men, and asked their release. The man
was very pompous and insolent and no satisfaction could be ob-
tained from him. Different action on my part was necessary.
Turning to the boys who had accompanied me I ordered them to
break open the guard house. This was done in short order and my
boys released. The Home Guard commander stood there fuming
and vowing vengence and after one particular offensive remark
addressed to me I wheeled my horse and made straight at him.
He started on. the run and soon being hard pressed run up the
steps of the leading hotel and disappeared through the large
entrance, but my horse could climb steps as well as he and I fol-
lowed. By ducking my head I was able to ride through the
entrance and right into the hotel lobby. As may be imagined
it caused some excitement and there was screaming from the lady
guests, but ray man got away from me, slipping out the back
door where I could not follow. I then turned my horse, reached
down and picked up a rocking chair and with that in my hand
rode out of the entrance and down the steps. The guard officers
gave me no further trouble and with my full compliment of men
the next morning we started on. We reached Springfield where
a regimental conference was held between our officers and the
command there, which resulted in our regiment being sent south
to the town of Ozark, under command of Major Sterling. The
balance of the regimental officers remained in Springfield. A
large train of wagons was supplied and we were to gather corn
and grind it in a gristmill at Ozark, also procure forage for
the horses. These supplies were to be sent to the relief of Gen-
eral Curtis, who was hemmed in and surrounded by the enemy
down on White River, near Batesville. There had been a previ-
ous effort made to relieve this general, but it proved disastrous,
the train being captured and the supplies burned.
Early the first morning after reaching Ozark some boys of
Co. L went down the Forsythe road, foraging for chickens, when
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IX THE CIVIL AVAR 91
they discovered some rebel cavalry coming up the road. Con-
cealing themselves in the brush they counted the cavalrymen as
they rode i)ast. There were 225. The report was brought to me
and I immediately carried it to Ma.jor Sterling in command and
asked the privilege of going after them with Co. L. The major
did not approve this on the ground of the absence of all the other
regimental officers at Springfield and our expedition to Ozai'k
being for the securing of supplies and not for the purpose of
entering into any engagement with the enemy. I urged my re-
quest strongly and finally was told I could follow them up for
a short distance, "But don't be gone over an hour." Learning
of the permission given by Ma.jor Sterling, Captain De Forrest
requested me to let him make up half of the pursuing force with
men from his company, to which I assented. Ozark was gar-
risoned by about forty infantry. I secured one of these as guide
on account of his knowledge of the country, mounted him and
then we started down the road toward Forsythe in pursuit of the
enemy. It proved that the rebel cavalry had ridden up to the
brow of the liill overlooking Ozark, expecting to capture the
place, but discovering our regiment encamped there had quietlj''
countermarched back toward their encampment at Cowskin Prai-
rie, on the south side of White River. Had we not arrived at
Ozark the day before it would have been an easy matter for them
to capture the garrison, and so sure were they of doing this that
they had brought along a six mule team to take back their ex-
pected plunder. We had gone only a mile or so when we ap-
proached a cloud of dust which filled the roadway neai'ly to the
tops of the trees. I immediately ordered my men to a gallop
expecting to soon overtake the rebels. After riding perhaps for
three quarters of a mile further we came to a fork in the road
and the dust was down both roads. I called a halt and con-
ferred with my guide. The right hand road was the direct route
to Pea Ridge and the left hand road to Forsythe, but on account
of the dust in both roads we could not tell which way they had
gone. The guide was of the opinion that the rebel cavalry were
from Cowskin Prairie and would probably take the left hand
road. I cautiously advanced expecting every minute to run into
the rear guard, but we traveled on and on, but always dust in
the road ahead of us, until we had passed the summit of the
Ozark mountains and were on the southern descent, to White
River. My brother Stant was all the time alone in advance. We
had gone probably twenty miles when he returned with a pi-isoner
mounted on a mule with a young negro wench behind him, Stant
92 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
said, ' ' Put this man in the ranks. " " Why no, he is not a soldier, ' '
I replied. "He is a spy sent back in this guise to find out if
they are being followed;" and he wheeled his horse and galloped
ahead out of sight. I interrogated the man, but he assured me
that he was a preacher going to preach a funeral sermon, so I
let him go and started the command ahead, but had gone only
a short distance when I heard rapid firing ahead.
Stant had I'un into the rear guard and opened fire on them.
I immediately ordered a charge which the boys made with a will.
Within a mile we ran into dozens of the rebels, most of whom
threw up their hands and cried "donf shoot, I surrender,"
many dismounting, holding up their bridle rein and throwing
down their arms. We passed all such leaving it to Captain De-
Forrest's men, who were behind us, to take care of those who had
surrendered, while we kept on after those who would not halt
or surrender. While riding along at a furious pace Len Lancas-
ter's horse slipped on a ledge of slate that extended across the
road when horse and rider fell to the ground, Lancaster being
caught under the horse and severely injured. I detailed two
men to take him to the rear, and on we started again. Presently
we ran across their six-mule team and wagon, but on we went,
the fastest horses in front. Every man taking the initiative, some
following far into the woods those of the rebels who left the road.
I had seen nothing of Stant yet, and feared he was killed.
After running past perhaps a hundred men who had thrown down
their weapons and offered to surrender we emerged out of the
timber on the level bottom of White River. Here there was no
dust to speak of, and there were several farm houses in sight. I
will take time here to describe our own shooting irons, which
were somewhat out of the usual order. Each man was furnished
with a Savage revolver, having a nine inch barrel, a heavy
weapon, provided with a lever which dropped down in front of
the ti'igger, with a loop in the lower end for the middle finger.
When this lever was pulled back it would cock the revolver and
turn the cylinder, but if not let go forward again pulling the
trigger would not discharge the weapon. Lieut. Tom Nary was
riding by ray side. He was a splendid specimen of physical man-
hood and with no lack of courage. As we were dashing along we
overtook a rebel officer. I was on one side and Nary on the other.
Nary was on the left, pointing his revolver at the officer, com-
manding him to halt or he would shoot, but the officer kept right
on. Probably through failure to release the lever before men-
tioned Nary's revolver would not go off. In the meantime I had
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 93
dropped back to keep out of the range. Finally there was a
sharp report and the rebel officer fell dead, shot through the heart.
Just at the elose of our cha.se what was our surprise to run across
a young woman in riding habit standing beside the road patting
her pony on the neck, the pony gushing blood from its nostrils
with every breath. We stopped and looked in amazement. Just
then the pony reeled over and fell dead. I rode up to her with
the question "what have we here?" There was a look of scorn
and no reply. "Where is your gallant?" I added. She turned
and looked southwest across the field and pointed out a lone horse-
man half a mile away, evidently mounted on a thoroughbred, for
his tail was straight out and liis gatherings rapid. "There he
goes," said she, "and you can't catch him." "Well," said I,
"I think I will have to take you prisoner." "I reckon you
won't." As she said this she went into her pocket and brought
out a document. It proved to be a permit for her to go in and
out of the lines at pleasure, and signed by Colonel Boyd, who
M'as a federal officer living in Missouri, and this was his daughter,
who had been down to Cowskin Prairie and married a rebel
officer, the one in command of the expedition against Ozark. Her
husband was one of the very few in the rebel command who had
not laid down arms, surrendered or been killed. This expedi-
tion was their wedding tour, and the comtemplated capture of
the garrison and supplies at Ozark was expected to add spice to
the trip.
Our horses by this time were tired and their riders were dust
covered, hot and thirsty. As the boys began to gather in from
the woods and elsewhere we stopped at a farm bouse where there
was a well with an old-fashioned sweep. The thirst of men and
horses was quenched, the horses being allowed to take only a
few swallows at a time until cooled off. The boys continued to
come in, brother Stant the last to show up. He had been led a
long chase deep in the woods. A count was taken and every man
found safe and Avhole. We then started back to Ozai'k. The
six-mule team belonging to the rebels was made use of in hauling
the guns and equipment of all descriptions which they had sur-
rendered or dropped in their flight. There were 110 pieces, all
told, including a considerable number of carbines, with bayonets
which slid down into a casement, and had been furnished by the
government for the protection of camel trains which carried mail
across the plains. There were also squirrel rifles, shot guns, der-
ringers and dueling pistols, also some bowie knives.
The body of the rebel officer mentioned was put into the wagon
94 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
with the equipment and after dark left at a farm house where
we had noticed a number of women while on the chase. The full
benefit of our raid was not realized on account of the failure
of the squad from the other compay who were in the rear of Co.
L, to take charge of those who had thrown down their arms and
offered to surrender. Further jealousy in the regiment was
caused by this encounter, and later I learned there was even
talk of a court-martial for me for having been gone more than
the hour allotted to me by my superior officer. Had the chase
not been so successful and without loss to my company there is no
telling what might have liappened.
SECOND CAVALRY.
It was impossible to know the full extent of casualty to the
enemy. The dust was so thick it was hard to distinguish between
the grey and the blue. Sixteen prisoners and three killed were
all we were sure of. In a few days our train of supplies and forage
was ready and our command with the forty infantrymen of Ozark
as riding wagon guards, we started traveling the same road we
had chased the enemy over for the first twenty-five miles. It was
an undisturbed march thus far but ever after that we were fol-
lowed by McBride and Coleman for 100 miles with their bush-
whacking guerilla system of firing upon us from dense cover and
instantly fleeing ; picking up any stragglers momentarily absent
from the ranks. Their system was to fire into the advance and
rear ranks and then skidoo. Washburn was anxious to learn
the strength of the encampment at Cowskin Prairie so brother
Stant was rigged out in butternut garb and furnished with leave
of absence purporting to belong to a rebel of Price's command,
mounted on an old picked up horse, to spy out the rebel force at
Cowskin Prairie on the south side of White River, while we
marched down on the north side. He left us one morning before
we broke camp. We marched that day with but little annoyance
and all the next day without any and we began to think the
enemy were massing somewhere in our front for the final coup
and our fate might be the same as the one captured before, in
their attempt to reach General Curtis. After our camp for the
night was settled, Washburn sent for me to come to- his quarters,
he was very anxious to hear from his scout and spy sent to Cow-
skin and I thought he must be killed for he had told me he would
never surrender. Just at the time I was telling this to Wash-
burn, there was a loud vocal discord ringing in our ears and I
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 95
started for Company L quarters. When I got tliere I saw Stant
and two confederates surrounded by Co. L and Stant was going
through the garments of his two prisoners, ripping open coat
collars, vest linings, pants bottoms, boot tops, as tliey disrobed
one garment after another, and he was so stoically silent and
indiii'erent to tell us — not even answering or recognizing my
greeting, or the many questions of the boys. So I stood there in
mute silence, confiicting emotions struggling for the mastery, and
I really had some misgivings of the 19 year old boy's sanity.
After he had finished searching his prisoners he asked the lieu-
tenant to care for these men, "I reckon they are hungry."
We then went to Washburn and Stant reported that the rebel
camp was intact, and thought they had no designs to engage us.
The night before he had played cards with some of the boys in
the rebel camp until 2 o'clock in the morning, then went and laid
down by his horse for a feigned sleep. But instead of sleeping he
planned to exchange his poor horse for a better one that was
picketed near his and leave camp before daylight, which he suc-
cessfully did without discovery, traveling northeast. Crossing
White River he espied the heads of tAvo horsemen at the crest
of a sharp hill. They were coming toward him. He immediately
spurred into the bush at the roadside and dismounting, hitched
his horse and crawled back to the roadside, where, with revolver
in hand, he awaited their coming. They were walking leisurely
and talking, and when they were nearly opposite him, he leaped
into the road, and covering them with his revolver, commanded
them to "ground arms." They instantly obeyed, and then he
gave the order, "about wheel," which they also obeyed. He
then picked up their arms, adjusted them to himself, stepped for
his horse, mounted, and marching the two in front of him nearly
all day, overtook us after we had bivouacked for the night. I felt
so proud of hira, that if I had had the power to give my place of
Captain of Co. L I should have done so.
The prisoners were a private and lieutenant, belonging to the
same regiment, and were returning from the private's Avedding,
where the lieutenant acted as best man. They became the charge
of Co. L through to Helena, and when they were shipped north
with a boatload of prisoners, this lieutenant went to Washburn
and begged the privilege of presenting his fine horse to his young
captor. When Washburn told him the horse belonged to the
United States, and it could not be done, I led him away and his
eyes filled with tears. He told me he had brothers he did not
revere as he did this young captor. He said further that tlie cool.
96 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
self-assured tone and action of Stant, convinced him that there
was a company of ambushed guns behind him. A few days later
an incident occurred which I will now relate.
Having lost a valuable trooper, wounded and taken prisoner
by what I considered a silly requirement, I was not in humor to
receive complacently what followed the next day. We went into
camp, roll call revealed the absence of Milton Tollfelmire of
Menomonie, a Swede, and absolutely fearless. I learned from his
comrades he had dropped out of the ranks, our company being
in the rear, and had foraged a bundle of oats for his horse from a
sliock by the road side and was there feeding his horse a short
way back and out of sight. The circumstances were reported to
Washburn by his orderly, and I was sent for and reprimanded by
the colonel and told to dismount that man and that he should walk
the next day and keep up with the command. I transmitted the
order to ToUef elmire, and in the afternoon we had to cross a stream
belly deep to our horses and ToUefelmire sat down on its bank
and refused to wade the stream and said to his comrades he woTild
die fighting the enemy before he would wade the stream. The
circumstance Avas reported to me and I was as indignant over the
sillyness of the order as ToUefelmire could be. I rode hastily to
the front, related the facts to Washburn with some heat, giving
my view of the fallacy of marching 300 miles with a relief train
through the enemy's country followed by Guerillas ambiishing us
every day and living off the country and me with sword sheathed
and carrying the olive branch in our right hand and perhaps our
train of supplies as well ; and an order against foraging (to the
enemy). He said in reply, "Mount him and bring him over."
When over I told him to take his place in the ranks. He did and
rode the balance of the day. After going into camp I was told
by the Colonel's orderly to report to headquarters. Washburn
said to me, "Didn't I order you to dismount your man for the
day?" I replied, "You certainly did." The only instance during
my army experience where red tape and a strict compliance with
the letter of the order brought justice and relief to an exhausted
soldier. "I obeyed your order, he was dismounted and walked
until he came to the river where he sat down and refused to come
over. I reported the circumstance to you and you ordered him
mounted and brought over." "And how come it that he has been
riding this afternoon?" "Because you failed to order him dis-
mounted again."
In a day or two I was ordered to take the advance witli Co. t,
and to advance several miles ahead of the train to scoiit the cross
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 97
roads. We came to a small clearing, log house and an old couple.
I was inteiTogating the old man whether he had seen any of the
enemy that morning. He had not. I inquired how far to the next
town, giving the name. He repeated it several times and replied:
"I reckon he must have moved away 'fore I came." I had called
in my flankers as I approached this clearing and we started ahead,
intending to throw out the flankers as soon as we got through
the clearing. As we got near the timber a half dozen shots came
from the timber, one striking Lieutenant Ring of Co. I who was
by ray side, in the left elbow and the bushwhackers fled, one horse
wounded. Nothing of special interest occurred during the re-
mainder of our march. The enemy continued their bushwhack-
ing tactics but we arrived safely at our destination at Batesville.
Of course we were graciously received by General Curtis and his
troops who were much in need of the supplies we had brought.
A day or two later we continued our march to Helena, Ark., which
was our objective point. At Bayou Cache the enemy disputed
our passage. The advance that day was led by the 11th Wiscon-
sin Infantry. The Second Cavalry asked permission to assist the
11th and the request was granted. We were somewhat in the rear
half of the column, and were marching over a corduroy road
through a cypress swamp with the road in front of us densely
packed with the infantry, artillery, wagon trains, etc., of our
force. These were at a halt and as usual in such eases had spread
out so that to pass through them was a difficult matter. Some
of us attempted to get past by leaving the corduroy road and
taking our chances in the mud and mire of the swamp. I killed
my horse in the attempt, but we finally got to the front only to
find that after a sharp engagement the 11th Infantry had driven
the enemy before them, in such haste that they had not been able
to destroy the bridge as intended.
We arrived at Helena at last, every man of the 2ud Cavalry
in the saddle, in perfect condition, well hardened by the trip. We
went into camp a short distance outside the city in a shady grove
with a clear stream of water flowing through it. We thought we
had an ideal camp. For the first four weeks we did very little
scouting or other active service. A laughable incident occurred
one day at drill. Colonel Stevens, of our regiment, was an Eng-
lishman with the proverbial English habit of handling his h's.
He had been a member of the Queen's Guard, was sis feet tall,
weighing two hundred forty pounds, a good sword man, and could
fence with either hand. We were at regimental drill when the
Colonel noted that Companies E and I were only fragments of
98 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
companies, the details for pickets that day having been drawn
from these companies. The Colonel conceived the idea of con-
solidating the two companies for the drill so gave the following
order. It may be remarked that he had a peculiar way of ending
his orders with a rising inflection to his voice, which peculiarity
was well known to the troops. Turning to Lieutant-Colonel East-
man he said: "Colonel H-Eastman, you will h-observe for the
h-operations of the day that Companies h-E and h-L will h-operate
together. Co. h-L may go to h-E or Co. h-E may go to h-L.
During the remainder of the campaign our company was
known in the regiment as "Company Hell." The regiment had
not remained long in Helena before the health of the troops began
to fail and in a few weeks scarcely a man was able to appear at
drill. I was quartered at the house of a widow in the town and
remarked to her about the sickness of our men. Said she: "You
will all be dead if you stay in that camp long. We would not
think of drinking that water as it seeps through from a cypress
swamp." I reported her statement to our Colonel and the result
was that the camp was moved to higher ground in a slashing made
by the Confederates for the purpose of allowing better use of their
artillery. Our water was brought from the Mississippi. Whether
or not the woman's explanation of the poisonous nature of the
water was correct, true it was that the health of the boys began
immediately to improve and soon all were again fit for duty.
An expedition ordered to Clarendon was hailed with delight
by Co. L. A pioneer corps was sent some days in advance to
bridge a bayou. The command (cavalry) followed. We met the
corps returning to Helena reporting there was not material enough
available to bridge it. The command went on to the bayou for
dinner, where we could find water for our horses. Lieutenant-
Colonel Eastman dined with me and while at dinner we were dis-
cussing the disappointment of the expedition's failure. Espe-
cially the lumberjacks of Co. Hell were cursing mad, declaring
they could swim it. I had been looking at a long row of slave
quarters of flattened logs, about one foot in diameter. The cabins
were in size about 14 by 18 and all alike, located upon an eleva-
tion of 15 or 20 feet above and parallel to the water and but a
rod or so away. I told the colonel that was the best material in
the world and plenty of it to bridge this stream and Co. Hell
could do it in four hours, pointing to the row of cabins and the
frame of an q}d grist mill, dismantled of its covering and ma-
chinery, lie immediately left me and went to the commanding
officer and reported that there was a man in his regiment who
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IX THE CIVIL WAR 99
says that this stream can be bridged in four hours. "Is he an
engineer?" inquired the officer. "No." "Bring him up here, I have
a curiosity to see the man who can bridge this stream after the
pioneer failure." I went with the colonel and briefly explained
the process of using the negro cabins by alternately using a
long and then a short log side by side and about eight logs wide
as a section and then intersecting section 2 with logs all the
same length and so on for the entire length of the boom, except
the last section, which should alternate lengths, with binder poles
across the section joints and band splits and lock downs of wild
grape vine, of Avhich there were miles in length along the banks,
and water beech for poles. Tlie commander said he would spend
the afternoon here and witness my creation and give me all the
men I wanted. Inside of fifteen minutes twenty horsemen were
seeking every auger, big and little, and every hatchet and ax with-
in a radius of three miles and a continuous stream of timber was
dashing down the banks bordering the stream. In ten minutes
more there were a dozen augers being turned with all the energy
the borers possessed and relays standing ready to grab those
handles as soon as there were the least signs of lagging. Now,
there were plenty of axes, hatchets and augers and the material
consisting of holes, poles, bands, pins and grapevines was simply
marvelous under the direction of members of Co. L as bosses.
At the end of four hours tlie 400 feet of eight timbers wide of
boom with her down stream end fastened to the shore with a
heavj^ grapevine and one fifty feet long plugged fast to the upper
end to serve as cable to fasten to the opposite shore, she lay
serene and self-assured at attention, awaiting orders. After a
hasty inspection by Sergeant Lancaster, in the absence of pins in
the lock-down holes, the order was given to shove her out and she
was gracefully swung by the current to the opposite shore and
cabled fast with the grapevine about 12 degrees diagonal from
a right angle with the shore. And Co. Hell had the honor of first
tramping slave quarters under their horses' feet. The command
passed over dry shod and the lumber-jacks wore a smile all
through a pelting snow iintil Ave reached Clarendon late at night.
The little town was dark and silent, having been vacated several
days before our arrival. This converted the smile of Co. L boys
into a grim-visaged scowl, accentuated by some strong words by
way of emphasis. I quartered my men in a billard room with a
large old fashioned fireplace wide enough to reo^ve the legs of
the tables as back logs and foresticks, and so we spent the night,
speculating as to what would be the orders and move tomorrow.
100 n [STORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
On account of sickness in Captain Sherman's family
his Civil War narrative closed very abruptly, with his
company of the 2nd Cavalry located at Helena, Ark. This
was in the fall of 1862. The 2nd Cavalry formed a part of
a large force under 'command of General Hurlbut which
went out from Helena to destroy the line of communications
in the rear of General Pemberton who had marched out of
Vicksburg with a part of his army. During the Hurlbut
expedition Captain Sherman was detailed at the head of
two companies of cavalry to destroy railroad bridges and
tracks which was successfully accomplished. After return-
ing to Helena and remaining there a short time the troops
moved to Memphis, where on request of the citizens the 2nd
cavalry was assigned to garrison the city. Feeling assured
that they would remain for a considerable time in Memphis
Captain Sherman, after consulting with some of his superior
officers, sent to New York state for the young lady who
had promised to be his wife. Accompanied by her father
she came to Memphis, the wedding taking place in the home
of a southerner, whose family insisted on taking charge of
all the arrangements, which were on an elaborate scale,
with the army officers present in full uniform.
Scarcely had the wedding taken place before an order
was received from tlie war department that the 2nd Cavalry
should proceed to Vicksburg to take part in the operations
against that place.
For a considerable time a feud had existed between
Colonel Stephens of the 2nd Cavalry and Lieutenant-Col-
onel Eastman. This had culminated in a personal en-
counter. Captain Sherman was one of the ofScers who had
separated the combatants, and having taken sides with the
Lieutenant-Colonel, he was not in the good graces of Col-
onel Stephens. Wishing, if possible, that his bride should
accompany him to Vicksburg, Captain Sherman put in a
petition to his superior officers to tliat effect. The Major
and Lieutenant-Colonel gave their approval but when pre-
sented to Colonel Stephens that officer promptly handed it
back with his disapproval attached to same. Feeling that
under the circumstances his request was a reasonable one
Captain Sherman decided to take the matter up to General
Hurlbut. When the General saw the Colonel's disapproval
he was very angry at Captain Sherman for presenting the
petition to him, but when the matter was fully explained
CAPTAIN HALL
CAPT. STOCKING
M la. 1 () C H\I r
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 101
he wrote "approved" across the face of the petition, and
signed his name. Armed with this precious document Cap-
tain Sherman made arrangements on the steamboat for his
bride, and on the day set for departure rode up the gang
plank onto the boat with her by his side. Colonel Stephens,
wholly in ignorance of the action of General Hurlbut saw
them come on the boat and angrily approached Captain
Sherman, and said that his bride Avould be put off at the
next wood lauding. The captain quietly took the petition
from his pocket and held it up so that the Colonel could see
General Hurlbut 's signature. The table had been turned.
After the fall of Vicksburg the 2nd Cavalry was sta-
tioned at Red Bone Church, 16 miles east of Vicksburg for
nearly a year.
In the fall of '64 Captain Sherman resigned his commis-
sion and was succeeded as captain by First Lieut. Jas. L.
Leroy, who had enlisted in the company from Chippewa
Falls. Captain Leroy continued at the head of the company
until it was mustered out of service in the fall of 1865.
Among the names of the privates who went out in Co. L
of the 2nd Cavalry will be found that of Leonard L. Lan-
caster, and Captain Sherman frequently mentions him in his
narrative.
This man Lancaster was an experienced woods and river
man and fearless to a degree. His soldierly qualities
brought him well merited promotion, and by the spring of
1865 he had attained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. It was in
the summer of 1865 that Lieutenant Lancaster had one of
the most thrilling experiences that fell to the lot of any
soldier during the civil war. A friend of the Lancaster
family has published the story in pamphlet form, of which
only a brief outline can here be given.
Lieutenant-Colonel Dale was at this time at the head of
the regiment, and by all accounts was wholly unfit for the
position he held. While stationed at Alexandria, La., in
July 1865 conditions under Dale had became so intolerable
that some six or seven hundred privates and some fifteen
commissioned ofScers signed a petition asking Dale to
resign.
It became necessary for some one to present the petition
and Lancaster volunteered for the task. It is hardly neces-
sary to state that from a military point of view the signing
and presenting of such a petition was a serious offense.
102 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Lancaster was arrested and put in jail for violating the
articles of war. The other officers were deprived of their
insignia of rank, all hut four of whom made retraction and
were restored to rank. One of these was tried and acquitted
and the others never came to trial. It was upon Lancaster
alone that the punishment fell. Refusing to retract he was
court-martialed and sentenced to be shot, and his death
warrant signed by General Custer. He was confined in a
dungeon for some days and while there was offered an op-
portunity to escape but the offer was declined. On the
evening of the 26th of July he was taken out with another
man, a deserter, bound and seated on their coffins, to be
shot. Just as the word "fire" was to be pronounced a
reprieve was received, releasing him from the death sen-
tence, but with a dishonorable discharge and sentenced to a
military prison in the Dry Tortugas for a term of three
years. Friends interceded for Lancaster and in February,
1866, he was released and after much hardship reached his
home at Eau Claire. Through the infiuence of Congressman
Michael Griffin and others an honorable discharge was se-
cured, and now after fifty years have elapsed since Lieu-
tenant Lancaster's terrible experience he is still with us al-
though in feeble health. That he may be spared many
years to come is the earnest desire of his old comrades and
friends.
CAMP AND FIELD.
"We have traced the formation and breaking up of the first, or
Taylor Company, also the recruiting and departure of the Perkins
Company, the Wheeler Company and Captain Sherman's Cavalry
Company. Recruiting was kept up continually, both to fill up
the thinning ranks of the companies that had gone out from Eau
Claire, also for outside companies, whose recruiting officers found
the Chippewa Valley a fruitful field for their labors. Before the
war was over several more full companies were sent out from
Eau Claire, but before considering these we will follow those
already sent to the front, some of which were quickly in the
thick of the fight.
As stated in the Sherman article, this cavalry company went
into camp at Milwaukee. The infantry companies of Perkins and
"Wheeler went to Madison where they were quartered at Camp
Randall. It is unfortunate, but never the less true, that the "Wis-
consin Historical Society itself has satisfactory histories of only
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 103
a small proportion of the regiments which went out from this
state. The eighth Wisconsin or Eagle Regiment is much more
fortunate than the average of Wisconsin regiments in the matter
of the preservation of its civil war history. Several books, of
varying degrees of value covering all or part of its regimental
history, have been published. In addition to these, which we will
consider later, the company from Eau Claire had its own corre-
spondent for a considerable time and we have his letters. In the
A. R. Barnes' article he mentions a fellow printer, by the name
of T. B. Coon, who also enlisted in the first company. Editor
Porter chronicles his departure in the following manner.
"Free Press, September 19, 1861. Thos B. Coon, who has been
connected with the mechanical department of this paper for
nearly a year, left the place on Thursday last, to .join the 'Eau
Claire Eagles' at Madison. Mr. Coon is a yoimg man of unqual-
ified merit in every respect, sober, industrious and intelligent;
these are the qualifications that have Avon him troops of friends
in this place, whose best wishes go with him. He is a keen ob-
server of men and things and a writer of no mean ability. The
readers of the Free Press will be glad to know that his pen will
be employed in giving them one letter per week from the 'Eighth
Wisconsin' during his stay in the army. His intelligence and
candor as an observer and writer will add an interesting feature
to the paper."
As promised by Mr. Porter to his readers this T. B. Coon sent
weekly letters from camp which were printed in the Free Press,
over the signature "Quad," and from which extracts will be
given later. P^'rom the beginning of the war until near its close,
Captain Green, of Co. F of the 8th regiment, wrote some very
interesting letters to his wife, describing passing events very
fully, which were later published in book form, some extracts of
which we take pleasure in quoting here. When we remember
that the Eagle regiment almost without exception, during the
entire war acted as a unit and that its total fighting strength Avas
seldom over five or six hundred men, we can see that Captain
Green's description of the services of Co. F would apply almost
equally as well to our own Eau Claire company.
T. B. Coon's first letter to the Free Press read as follows:
"Camp Randall, September 22, 1861. We have been considerably
disappointed in not being assigned to the company at the right
of the regiment. Being the heaviest company on the ground and
taking the position for a week and a half after our arrival, we
supposed we were to have it ' for good, ' but the person in author-
104 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
ity decided otherwise and oiir place in the regiment is the second
from the right. Signed 'Quad.' "
His next letter says: "Camp Randall, September 20. I was
led into quite a serious error in my last in giving the position
of our company in the regiment. Instead of being the second
from the right, we are the center or Color company, of the regi-
ment, a distinction which almost compensates us for the loss of
the regimental right. Signed 'Quad.' "
Captain Green arrived at Camp Randall a few days before the
Perkins Company arrived from Eau Claire. Prom the first he
was a great admirer of "Old Abe," the war eagle, and frequently
mentions him in letters to his wife. In view of the later fame
of this eagle, some of Captain Green's comments, made at the
time, seem almost prophetic. Prom one of his first letters after
reaching Camp Randall, we quote the following:
"OLD ABE" AT CAMP.
"Camp Randall, September 10, 1861. We have a new recruit
— a live eagle. Co. C, Captain Perkins brought him from Eau
Claire, where they bought him of some Chippewa Indians. He
is a fine specimen of our National bird, and the boys have named
him 'Old Abe.' A perch is made with a shield and the bundle
of darts underneath, and a perch on top on which 'Old Abe' is
carried on a pole by a member of Co. C, next to the colors. If
he stands it to go through the war, he will be a noted bird."
Another letter from Captain Green, dated "Camp Randall,
September 30, 1861. We have just heard good news. Our regi-
ment is ordered to Missouri. We will start in a few days. Great-
est joy prevails in camp. The Governor goes with us to Chicago.
He says the Eighth is the finest regiment he ever saw. I never
could understand before this how a soldier became so attached,
but now, even for the short time I have been here, I would not
be willing to go into another regiment. We have a fine, gentle,
manly set of officers, both regimental and company."
Captain Green writes from St. Louis. "Benton's Barracks,
near St. Louis, October 14, 1861. We left Madison on the morn-
ing of the 12th. What a time we had getting on board the cars.
Everybody's friends were on hand to see us off, and there were
last embraces, kisses, tears and partings sad enough to witness.
Gaily beat the drum as our columns marched to the depot.
Handkerchiefs fluttered and voices broken with emotion, tear-
fully said 'Good-bye' to hundreds of our boys as the train moved
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 105
off. It was a time to try to peer into the future — to try to see
what it had in store for us. How long would it be before we
would return 1 Will we come back with our ranks as full as they
are now, or will there be some missing at final roll call? But
I confess I had too many other things to think of to indulge in
such thought. The way it looks now the fighting will be over
before we get to the front. We had a nice run to Chicago, and a
fine lunch spread by the good people of that city. Changed cars
for St. Louis, where we arrived this morning.
"I must tell you of an exploit of Old Abe, our eagle. After
we had disembarked and when the regiment was forming in line
ready to march to Benton's Barracks, out in the suburbs of the
cit}', the eagle somehow got loose from his perch, and literally
soared aloft. We marched on up to the city, giving up Old Abe
as lost ; but every square or so as we progressed, we noticed him
flying over the housetops, and keeping his course along with ours.
Sometimes he would take a wide circuit, and for the time dis-
appear, but sooner or later he would return and hover over us,
and when we reached the Barracks, the flew down to the ground
and took his place in the center of the regiment in Co. C, by the
colors. We gave him three hearty cheers, and he raised himself
on his perch and flapped his wings. We all think Old Abe will
make a good soldier."
Captain Green described the Eagle regiment's first appearance
on the battlefield. "Predericktown, Mo., October 22, 1861. We
have had our first fight. You will have heard before this reaches
you of the battle of Frederiektown yesterday. The rebels were
cleaned out.' AVe were in Benton's Barracks only one day when
we had orders to move out to the Iron Mountain Railroad where
Jeff Thompson had been destroying bridges. We marched to the
depot and were put on board cattle cars. You ought to have
heard the boys swear at the accommodations — as if 'Uncle Sam'
ought to furnish parlor cars. Well, we went to Pilot Knob, and
in the afternoon started on the mareli for Frederiektown. Our
force consisted of two Illinois regiments, one Missouri and the
8th Wisconsin, and several companies of cavalry. Jeff Thompson
was reported intrenched at Frederiektown with a force anywhere
from three thousand to eight thousand. We marched all night.
The roads were hilly and rocky, but smooth. The full moon made
it light and the frosty air was as good as a tonic. Our knapsacks
and overcoats in addition to forty rounds of ammunition, muskets
and accoutrements and two days' rations in haversacks was no
106 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
light load to carry, and when we reached here at nine o'clock
yesterday, we were pretty nearly used up. The citizens said that
Jeff Thompson had left the day before, going to Arkansas. So
we stacked arms in the middle of the street and broke ranks to
get dinner and rest. About two o'clock firing was heard in the
outskirts of town, and the drums beat to 'fall in.' We fell into
rank and marched double quick toward the firing. Our cavalry
were out scouting and came upon the enemy's whole force posted
in the corn field just out of town. The enemy opened fire on
them and killed three and wounded a good many. Two Illinois
regiments just coming from Cape Girardeau to form a junction
with us arrived at the grounds at this moment and opened fire
on the rebs with cannon and musketry, and had just charged them
as the head of our regiment reached the line of battle. An aide
galloped up to our colonel and ordered the 8th Wisconsin to hold
itself in reserve at the courthouse. Some of the boys had already
fired without orders, and were all excited and anxious to go into
the fight. But we had to countermarch. The colonel's voice was
husky with anger as he gave the order. So we stood in line of
battle in the rear while the fighting was going on in front, almost
in plain sight. The wounded were carried to the hospital through
our lines. Some forty or fifty were brought in, of both sides. I
cannot describe the feeling that comes over one when he sees the
bleeding men carried from the battlefield on stretchers. It is
a peculiar sensation. The musicians are expected to perform their
duties, but we noticed several soldiers who had left the ranks to
assist the wounded to the rear. The enemy broke and ran when
they were charged, but made another stand, from which they were
soon driven. They ran through a meadow, up a hill and broke
for the woods, leaving three cannons, several horses and any
number of old shotguns, muskets and squirrel rifles. At dark our
troops camped all 'round town. I went over the battlefield early
this morning ; the dead rebels were laying thick in places. They
were small, skinny men, looking half starved, of all ages, dressed
in the butternut colored clothes worn by the natives. The wounded
had been take care of by our surgeons. Our forces here are under
the command of Colonel Carlin of the regular army, those from
Cape Girardeau under Colonel Plumber of an Illinois reginient,
while the expedition which has proven so successful was planned
by a brigadier general, U. S. Grant, Avho has charge of this de-
partment with his headquarters at Cape Girardeau."
T. B. Coon also described the engagement at Fredericktowu.
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IX THE CIVIL AVAR 107
Although seen from a somewhat diiJerent viewpoint, it does not
differ materially from the account given by Captain Green.
We have followed the Perkin's Company of the 8th or Eagle
regiment from Camp Randall to their first appearance on the bat-
tlefield at P^redericktown. We will now follow the fortunes of the
Wheeler Company of the 16th regiment. Winter had set in be-
fore the Wheeler Company reached Camp Randall. Tlie 16th
regiment did not remain long at Madison but were rushed South
in early Spring and within a few weeks as raw troops they took
a prominent part in the great battle of Pittsburg Landing.
The battle of Pittsburgh Landing or Shiloh, was fought on
the 6th, 7th and 8th of April, 1862. The first name is taken from
a landing on the Tennessee river near which the battle took
place, and the name "Shiloh" from a log meeting house some
two or three miles from the landing, and which formed the key
of the position of the Union army. General Grant in an article
on this battle says: "Shiloh was the severest battle fought in
the west during the war, and but few in the east equaled it for
hard, determined fighting. I saw an open field in our possession on
the second day over which the confederates iiiade repeated charges
the day before, so covered with dead that it would have been
possible to walk across the clearing in any direction, stepping on
dead bodies, without a foot touching the ground." He also says:
"The confederate assaults were made with such disregard to
human life that our line of tents soon fell in their hands. The
national troops were compelled several times to take positions in
the rear, nearer to Pittsburg Landing. In one of these backward
moves, on the 6th, the division commanded by General Prentiss
did not fall back with the others. This left his flank exposed and
enabled the enemy to capture him with about 2,200 of his officers
and men." Space will not allow any general review of this great
battle. But I feel fortunate in being able to present an account
of it, as given at the time by a member of Captain Wheeler's
Company antl tlir Kith ifi;iment.
Pittsburg Laiidiug, April 16, 1862. Editor Free Press. I wish
you to find room in the Free Press for a few lines from the
"Chippewa Valley Guards" and the gallant sixteenth regiment
of Wisconsin Volunteers. We arrived at Pittsburg Landing
March 20, 1862, encamped on the river until the 23rd, when orders
came to strike tents and move forward, which we did, and en-
camped on a beautiful slope about two miles from the river, south-
west. On the 1st of April we received orders to strike tents and
108 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
move forward on the frontier in General Prentiss' division —
Colonel Peabody's Brigade. Saturday afternoon we were re-
viewed by General Prentiss and staff and he told the boys they
composed as good a regiment of men as he ever saw. The general
looked pleased, and his compliments filled the minds of the boys
with such heroism as none but heroes can feel. But all this time
we little thought that across this small field, in the thicket, stood
the renowned Beauregard, Hardee and Bragg, watching our move-
ments and looking up all the weak points in our line but never-
theless such was the case. Sunday morning our pickets encoun-
tered the enemy about one mile from our camp. The alarm was
given — the long roll sounded and our boys fell into line in double
quick. General Prentiss rode along our lines telling us to use all
speed for God's sake, for the enemy were advancing in force.
Accordingly we hastened forth to the sons of chivalry. We
-crossed the field before mentioned, entered the woods for a few
rods, and there beheld the foe advancing in columns, eight deep,
and lines extending five miles; and behind this column came the
second, third and fourth columns in battle array and behind this
mass of human beings, came ten thousand more detailed to gather
up the wounded and as fast as a man fell, to seize his gun and rush
forward to battle. Our brigade struck bold and defiant as if
inviting the enemy to come on. On they came, with overwhelm-
ing forces, determined to drive all before them and when within
forty rods of our lines the 16th opened fire, which swept them
down in great numbers. The second fire from the 16th killed their
chief, S. A. Johnson, who rode a beautiful white charger in front
of his men, accompanying them to what he supposed — victory.
"We were not within supporting distance of any other regiment,
but appeared to be fighting the whole southern army on our own
account. When our colonel perceived that they were flanking
us right and left, then came the order to fall back and take a
new position. This was the time we suffered our first loss, Wil-
liam Archer, James Walker, John Francisco and Louis R. Belknap
fell dead, pierced by rebel bullets; it was there M. E. O'Connell,
James (Crawford, and John Jones fell badly wounded. In our
retreat we brought off our woimded and drew up in line of battle
in front of our tent. On they came, and in crossing the field be-
fore mentioned, we poured volley after volley into their midst
that slaughtered them terribly. It was here that Oliver H. Brown-
ing and John Hanegan fell dead. At the same time, our Lieu-
tenant-Colonel was badly wounded, shot through the thigh, and
was carried off the field. Andrew Chambers and Thomas Gilfin
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAii 109
were wounded here — shot through the legs; also Jason P. Long,
who was shot through the knee. Poor fellow, I fear he will lose
his leg. We then had orders to fall back again through our camp.
On this third retreat it began to resemble an Indian fight. It was
every man for himself — behind trees and logs — contesting the
ground inch by inch against twenty times their numbers. Our
regiment fought on the retrograde movement about one mile when
we made another stand, which told fearfully on the enemies side
with no loss to ourselves. When our colonel, who stood firm as
a rock of adamant saw we were likely to be flanked, and in fact,
we were in the enemy's cross fire — gave the orders to face back
again. About this time there came reinforcements who had not
yet been engaged — Avho took the enemy in hand and gave us a
chance to fall back and rest for a time. In a short time we
rallied again and went 'into the fight, refreshed by the short
respite we had had. It was on this fourth and last stand that
the battle raged the fiercest. All along our lines for two hours
we were held in reserve engaged only a part of the time. This was
a trying time, the bullets flying thick as hail — bombs bursting in
all directions — grape and canister in profusion. Here we lost some
of our best officers. Colonel Allen was shot through the arm and
was obliged to leave the field. The command then fell on Major
Thomas Reynolds — who, by-the-way, is as brave a man as ever
drew a sword — who was ordered to fall back to the river bank to
recruit, to give a chance to Buell's men who had began to arrive.
Our line had been gradually driven toward the river up to the
time of Buell's reinforcement, and would have been whipped
and taken prisoners, had it not been for Buell. He was the
Blucher of the day that saved us from defeat.
We encamped on the river bank for the night, supperless, in
a drenching rain, without tents or blankets. Monday morning,
after a hasty meal on hard bread, we took up our march for the
enemy again. We felt disposed to settle a final account with
them for driving us from our tents with nothing but what was
on our backs. We tramped all day through the woods, held as
reserve, first in one place and then in another, in sight of the
battle, but could not get a chance to "go in." Buell was deter-
mined to do all, or as much of the fighting as possible with his
own troops and only called on General Grant when much needed.
About 3 o'clock the rebels began to fall back before the mudsills
of the North and at 4 o 'clock were at full retreat towards Corinth.
Then presented itself to view a most sublime sight that ever fell
to the lot of man to see, it was about 8,000 of our cavalry that
130 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
filed up through a large field and charged across into the woods
upon the retreating foe. The shout that went up from our Union
throats — say 50,000 of them — it must have been harsh music to
the traitors' ears. We then were ordered back to the river to
lay on our arms for the night, which we did in the midst of a
drenching rain. Tuesday morning the fight being over and all
quiet except an irregular fire from Buell's artillery, which sent
Uuion compliments in the shape of twenty-four pound shot and
shell toward Corinth, which our ungallant friends did not conde-
scend to reply to. At 10 o'clock a. m. we received orders to march
out and encamp on our old grounds. Then came the most trying
part of the whole drama. The dead lay scattered around us —
the groans of the wounded that had lain on the field through a
most terrible rain, with no companions but the slain to cheer
them through the lonely hours. We arrived on our old grounds
at 10 o'clock p. m. and immediately commenced to work with
mercy, removing our Avounded, many of whom had lain in the
woods unable to arise or assist themselves in the least from Sun-
day morning until Tuesday noon without food or water. In some
cases the rebels had brought our wounded into our tents, which
they had left standing, and treated them as well as they could
under the circumstances. The Alabama troops were especially
very kind to our wounded. Beauregard honored some of the
wounded of Company G with his presence and wished them in
hell before they came to Tennessee. We have gathered the dead
and buried them as well as circumstances will permit, friend and
foe alike. We are now comfortably settled again and are receiv-
ing calls from friends and acquaintances. Governor Harvey was
here yesterday and made a short and appropriate speech. He
complimented the Sixteenth on the part they took in the att'air.
He told us the proudest feeling he ever had was when he was in
Savannah. He there found some of the wounded of the Sixteenth,
conversed with them and found every man full of patriotism and
ready for the fight as soon as they are able to take the field. He
saj'S Wisconsin shall hear when he returns how her sons fought
the proud foe and was instrumental in winning the most impor-
tant victory of the whole campaign. I suppose it would be proper
for me to mention a few of the brave heroes of the Chippewa
Valley guards. We will head the list with Captain Wheeler, who
was as cool as a cucumber and fought like a tiger. "Old Pap"
was a host in himself; he took deliberate aim every time and
when he pulled down went a secesh. Brave Kelly kept the Stars
and Stripes floating in the thickest of tlie fight. Willard Bartlett,
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 111
M. MeGillin and scores of others were as cool and determined as
men could be, and seemed to fight as if they rather liked the busi-
ness. Our captain was slightly wounded and fell on his knees,
but regained his feet and went at it stronger than ever. Now I
have to relate what is worst of all : That is the accursed rebels
stole the flag that was presented by the fair ladies of Eau Claire
to our company. We may be favored with a chance to retake it
before many days, or at least have a try for it. General Halleck
has command in person. There will be no more surprise parties
with us. We hear Governor Harvey wants the Sixteenth to go
back to Madison and guard prisoners on account of the loss of
officers and men, and the good reputation the regiment bore when
in Camp Randall. It would suit the feeling of the regiment bet-
ter to go forward to the little town called Corinth and see what
they keep to sell. The casualties of our regiment will sum up
three hundred or more. Beauregard in a speech to his men before
the attack told them he would water his horse in the Tennessee
river that night or he would M-ater him in hell, so the prisoners
say that were captured.
We left Captain Perkins" company of the Eighth Wisconsin
or Eagle regiment just after their first appearance on the battle-
field at Frederiektown, October 21, 1861. They were kept in that
vicinity for several months guarding railroads and bridges and
kindred duties. Late in the fall Captain Green writes to his wife
as follows: "November 22, 1861. As an offset to the discour-
aging news from the army of the Potomac comes news of the
decisive victory gained by General Grant at Belmont on the 7th.
It gives courage to every soldier in the west ; it shows that the
western army is commanded bj' generals who are not afraid to
fight. We are enthusiastic over the man Grant, and are glad we
are in his district, for now Ave believe we shall have something
to do."
In the Free Press of January 23 we find Correspondent Coon
writing as follows :
Camp Curtis, Sulphur Springs, Mo., January 10, 1862. Dear
Free Press: Company C is once more back in its old quarters
here after two weeks' absence down the railroad doing duty,
guarding bridges and learning the mysteries of the art of cam-
paigning with comfort in the middle of a Dixie winter. The camp
is full of rumor tonight of an immediate movement from here, but
how soon it will take place, or whether it will be to Cairo, or to
take part in the tilt against Columbus, or to Rolla to have a chase
after the pugnacious Price, or still further west to accompany
112 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Jim Lane in his swoop upon the rebels of Arkansas and Texas are
matters that time alone will tell. Yours, * ' Quad. ' '
P. S. — January 12, the destination of the regiment is now fixed
as Cairo, and we shall start tomorrow or next day. Everytliiug
is now all preparation for departure.
Early in 1862 Captain Green came in i^ersonal eontaet witli
General Grant for the first time and reported to him. Because
Grant did not show quite as much interest in the minor matters
which Captain Green presented, as he thought proper for a time,
there was a feeling of disappointment on the captain's part, but
this soon passed ofl:', and we soon find Captain Green enthusiastic
over General Grant.
Cairo, January 26, 1862. — General Grant has been in command
here up to this time, but now he is gone, or about starting, with
a corps up the Cumberland river. I reported to him as officer of
the day. He did not impress me favorably; he apparently had
no interest in giving me orders, and seemed to care very little
about what was going on at the post, but referred me to a staff
officer in the next room. I felt disappointed in him, for we had
all formed a good opinion of him for his part in the battle of
Predericktown, and for his victory at Belmont. Certain it is that
he is the only general thus far who has shown that he knows how
to handle men and is not afraid to fight.
Cairo, January 26, 1862.— Gen. W. T. Sherman was on the
same boat. They say he is crazy and there is much about him to
confirm that opiaiou. He is never still a moment. Talks rapidly,
asks a dozen questions without waiting for an answer to any one.
Walks back and forth on the boat, his sword dangling on the
floor and his eyes scanning every object down stream. He has
bright, piercing eyes that seem to look right through you. I was
on deck watching him and looking around generally when he
stopped in one of bis Avalks and began firing questions at me
about as follows: "What command do you belong to?" "Who
is yoixr colonel?" "How long have you been in the service?"
"What fights have you been in?" "Do you know what to do in
case this boat is attacked?" and several more questions without a
pause. I kept track of them and replied: "Eighth Wisconsin."
"Nearly six months." "Fredericktown. " "Colonel Murphy."
"We would shoot back." He smiled very pleasantly and walked
away. Another letter from Captain Green, dated New Madrid,
Mo., April 10. — Island No. 10 was captured on the 8th. We were
immediately ordered to this place. In a few hours we boarded
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 113
transports and landed on the Tennessee side to cut off the retreat
of tlie Island No. 10 forces, which we did, and took 3,000 prisoners
without firing a shot. Yesterday we returned here with the
prisoners. April 11. — Orders to cook four days' rations and
start for Memphis. We have been brigaded. We are in the First
brigade. Fifth division. General Pope's army. The brigade con-
sists of the Eighth Wisconsin, Fifth Minnesota, Eleventh Missouri,
Forty-seventh Illinois and Spoor's Second Iowa Battery, Colonel
Plummer commanding. On board United States transport "Moses
McClellan,"' flotilla of fifty boats, down the Mississippi, April 14.
We are steaming down the Mississippi at the rate of twelve miles
per hour. While I write we are far below Point Pleasant (the
scene of rifle-pit experience), with Arkansas on one side and Ten-
nessee on the other. Our flotilla numbers fifty steamboats, all
loaded with troops, cannon, horses and stores. The gun and mor-
tar boats are ahead of us. I suppose our destination is Memphis.
The fleet is a grand sight, worth living an age to see. The river
is a mile and a half wide, is full of boats as far up and down as
we can see.
April 17. — Yesterday we received northern papers with an
account of the battle of Shiloh. Important orders of some kind
have come, judging from the movements of our fleet. Our boat
is steaming down stream while others are going up stream. I
suppose we are measuring red tape. It would not be strange
if we were ordered up river.
April 19. — Verily the ways of the "milingtary" are past find-
ing out. We are going up stream this morning. I never looked
at a more magnificent sight then presented itself last night just
before we rounded to and stopped. We were going round a bend
in the river when one by one headlights of steamers became visible
below us, increasing in number and rapidity as we cleared the
point, until it seemed as if bj' magic a thousand red and white
lights and a thousand bright furnace fires glittered and blazed
on the water, making the darkness around us blacker than ever.
All at once, as if to complete the scene, the bands and drum corps
of the whole fleet struck up tattoo, filling the air with a perfect
medley of music. Gradually the notes of the bugle could be dis-
tinguished, then of other iustrumeuts and soon the medley of an
entire band would come over the water. Our men, noisy and
rough as they are, ciuieted down, scarcely whispering, subdued
and fairly entranced by the beautiful sight and the music from
the darkness, for the boats themselves were invisible. The lights
looked as if suspended on nothing in the air, but the spell was
114 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
soon broken, for the fleet rounded to the shore and tied up for
the night. The loud call of human voices, especially of steam-
boat captains and mates, has a coarseness that dispels fancy and
makes reality as real and rough as it is.
New Madrid, Mo., April 19. — Just as I commence to Avrite our
boat is putting out into the stream, bound up river. The orders
now are, as popularly understood on board, though not definitely
known, that we are to go up the Tennessee river to reinforce
Grant's army. I hope it may be true. The reason of the failure
of this down-river expedition is on account of the high water.
The river is higher than it has been since 1844. Land forces can-
not operate with any effect below. They say another battle is
imminent at Corinth and that we shall be there.
Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., April 22. — Here we are at last on
the battlefleld of the great struggle of the 7th. There are one
hundred and twenty thousand troops here. Our camps are in a
string six or seven miles up the Tennessee river. Governor Har-
vey was starting home with a cannon which the Fourteenth Wis-
consin regiment captured from a New Orleans battery at Shiloh
when he fell overboard and was drowned. I never felt so bad in
my life over any news as I did at this. Governor Harvey was one
of nature's noblemen. His death was as much a sacrifice on the
altar of his country as if he had fallen on the field of battle.
CAPTAIN GREEN DESCRIBES BATTLE OF FARMINGTON.
May 10. — I am alive and Avell. I went through the battle of
Farmington without being seriously hurt, but to an account of it :
On the morning of the 8th, General Pope's corps marched out of
camp and towards Corinth and formed in line of battle on the
hills near Farmington, driving the enemy's pickets in and making
a successful reconnoisance to within three miles of Corinth. At
8 o'clock in the evening our troops were ordered back to camp.
Company A, Captain Redfield, and several other companies
from the brigade were left at Farmington on picket. Our
brigade was ordered to take up position about a mile in the rear
of the pickets, to sleep on our arms. We laid down in the open
air with one blanket each and slept soundly until daylight. At
6 o'clock in the morning — yesterday — we heard firing on the
picket line, which was kept up steadily for two hours, when our
pickets were driven in. A rebel battery in front and to the right
of us began throwing shells. We were on the side of a hill out of
sight. Their shells fell short of us. We knew we would soon be
engaged for we saw the enemy advancing. They came forward
^^^.
CAPTAIN BUTI.ER
MAJ. J. R. WIIEF.r-ER
LIEUT. MARK SHERMAN,
2_ -^4 ^ Ovi tV|
,IEUT. M. E. OCONNELI,
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IX THE CIVIL WAR 115
in line of battle, their flags flying over them and their bayonets
glittering in the sunshine. Hiscox's (Wisconsin) battery was
right in front of ns and doing good execution, but the advance
line of the enemy was now so near and their musket balls began
to rain on the battery so fast that it rapidly limbered up and
went to the rear. Seeing this the rebels gave one of their
unearthly yells and started on the double quick. My heart was
in my throat. Why don't we get orders? Where are field
officers" "P^ire! Fire!" I gave orders to my men, and simul-
taneously General Loomis, riding, said at the top of his voice:
"Now, Eighth boys, go in." With a grand hurrah our regiment
advanced and poured a deadly volley, and another and another,
in at the rebels, now within a hundred yards of us, which checked
them. In a moment more they turned and fled. We started after
them, firing as we ran. Just then a squad of our cavalry came up
from the rear and charged ahead, passing around our right. They
rode into a clump of timber and immediately were repulsed and
sent back in all directions. The enemy's battery opened on us
hotter than ever, and half a dozen regiments poured out of the
timber on all sides of us, raking us with a cross fire. We retreated
in good order to our first position, and there made a stand and
delivered several volleys, but only for a few minutes, the order
coming to fall back to the woods directly behind us. We fell
back, keeping our line straight, loading and stopping to fire every
few steps. By the time we reached the woods a rebel force had
got on our right flank and poured the shot into us hot and heavy,
which considerably hastened our retreat. During this time the
Forty-seventh Illinois passed us in disorder to the rear, and the
Twenty-seventh and Fifty-flrst Illinois, which had been sent as
reinforcements, after making a charge similar to ours on the left
and being repulsed, broke ranks and fled, apparently every man
for himself. We were thus left the last regiment on the field and
brought up the retreat in something like good order. This was
due alone to the company ofiieers and men. The lieutenant-
colonel in command had been disabled early in the action and the
major was well on his way to camp. The company officers and
men behaved with great coolness and bravery. There was natu-
rally more or less confusion, owing to the lack of orders from the
fields officers, but this never grew into anything like a panic. We
carried ofi: the dead and also some wounded of other regiments.
The enemy did not follow us into the woods, but shelled the woods
fearfully. The bursting of the shells over our head and the
crackling of the tree branches made a terrible noise. It was with
116 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
an inexpressible feeling of relief tliat we finally struck the road
leading to canap. There we found the whole corps in line of
battle, Avith the officers chafing because they were not permitted
to march out. But it was against Halleck's orders. He had for-
bidden the corps commanders to bring on a general engagement.
But for this I verily believe that if Pope 's corps had been brought
out today we could have whipped the rebels and taken Corinth.
Our regiment had ten killed and forty wounded. Lieutenant-
Colonel Robbins had his horse shot and was disabled. Your old
friend, Captain Perkins, of Company C, was mortally wounded
and has just died, since I commenced writing this letter ; Lieu-
tenant Beamish, of Captain Britton's Company G, was killed. A
rebel soldier gave himself up; he says he was in the Louisiana
Zouave regiment that started to capture Hiscox's battery when
the Eighth "Wisconsin repulsed them; that seventeen of his regi-
ment fell dead at our first fire, seven killed in the color company.
He saw our eagle and says the rebels did not know "what in
thunder it meant." The eagle deserves special praise. He stood
up on his perch, with his wings extended and flopping violently
during the whole time. The noise excited him, and if he could
have screamed I have no doubt we would have wakened the
echoes. His bearer was wounded : so was the color bearer.
DEATH OF CAPT. JOHN PERKINS.
Free Press, May 22, 1862. — We are called upon to announce
the death of Capt. John Perkins, of the Eau Claire Eagles, Eighth
"Wisconsin regiment. The sad news reached this place on Tuesday
by a private letter to Mrs. H. P. Graham by her brother, Benjamin
P. Cowen, who was a member of Captain Perkiu"s company. lie
died on the 11th, some fifteen miles from Pittsburg Landing, from
the effects of a wound received in a fight on the 8th. His wound
was in the hip, and we believe was caused by the explosion of a
shell during a brisk engagement in which our forces under Gen-
eral Pope were repulsed by greatly superior numbers. Captain
Perkins had been sick for a long time and confined to hospital
quarters at Cairo, and immediately after joining his company the
Eighth regiment formed a part of General Plummer's brigade
in Pope's division, which constituted the left wing of the grand
army under General Halleck. If we mistake not, the fight was
the first time the Eau Claire Eagles had been brought under fire
since they left this place in September last.
Captain Perkins Avas born in St. Lawrence county. New York,
and was about forty-five years of age. He remained in his native
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IX THE CIVIL WAR 117
county, filling various position of public trust, until about six
years ago, when he came west and settled in Bridge Creek, in this
county. Here he lived a prominent and honored citizen of his
town and county, until two years ago, \vhen he was appointed
receiver of the United States land office, and he became a resident
of this village. Last spring he was elected county judge,, but
resigned, raised a company of volunteers, enlisted and was elected
captain by a handsome vote. This company has given the Eighth
regiment a national reputation. The noble eagle that accom-
panied the Eau Claire boys to the field of glory and whose perch
is tlie staff that hears the Stars and Stripes has given the Eighth
the name of the "Eagle Regiment" all over the country.
Captain Perkins was succeeded by First Lieutenant Victor
Wolf, who had helped to recruit and drill the company. His
practical military experience, both in Germany and in this coun-
try, had made him a valuable officer in the company and well fitted
him to assume command. lie continued as captain of Company C
until June, 1865, when he was succeeded by Lieut. Thomas 6.
Butler, who continued at the head of the company until it was
mustered out in September.
In the spring of 1862 the following news item appeared in the
Free Press:
Eau Claire Jackson Guards, Free Press March 27, 1862. — Capt.
Thomas Carmiehael and Lieut. J. F. McGrath have been engaged
in getting up a company of volunteers for the Nineteenth (or
Irish) regiment, and have now some forty names on the rolls.
They have worked so modestly and efficiently, too, that this com-
pany is over half full, and but little has been said about it. We
are assured that there is a prospect of filling it immediately, and
Lieutenant McGrath has gone to Madison to make arrangements
for the company. The men thus far are a hale and hearty set
of fellows, wlio will never turn their backs to the foes of their
country. We wish the company success.
Free Press April 3, 1862. — Captain Carmichael's company
paraded the streets today under charge of James Robinson, ot
North Eau Claire, who has been for some time instructing it in
company drill. They are making fine progress under Mr. Robin-
son's instructions. The company is succeeding finely and is
bound to fill its ranks.
Free Press April 10, 1862. — Lieutenant McGrath returned
from Madison on Tuesday noon. He arranged to have the mem-
bers of Carmichael's company enter Captain Beebe's Tenth Artil-
lery company, now in St. Louis, and they are to start for Mil-
lis HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
waukee or St. Louis this week. This will be good news to the
boys, who have been chafing for active service for some time.
The first item in the Free Press states that some forty names
had already been secured. All of these did not join the Tenth
Battery, as the state roster of Wisconsin troops lists only eighteen
who gave Eau Claire county as their place of residence, and three
from Menomonie as their home. Among those from Eau Claire is
the name of Thomas Carmichael, whose name appears in the Free
Press article. He Avent out as a private in this artillery company,
but was later promoted to the rank of first lieutenant and was
assigned to Company H of the Twenty-seventh Wisconsin Infan-
try. I give below the names of those in the Tenth Battery who
gave Eau Claire county or Menomonie as their residence. Those
from Eau Claire are: John Craig, Charles Bohn, Thomas Car-
michael, James Cronin, William Cronin, Burton Gray, John Gray,
William H. Lemon, William F. Manning, Florence McCarty, Chris-
topher Mormon, Daniel Murphy, Hiram Prescott, Levi Prescott.
Horace Prescott, John Stanley, William Wherman, Thomas Yar-
gan. Those from Menomonie : Frank Plean, Joseph Uuselt,
Adam Wanzell.
You will note among the above the name of Florence
McCarty. He lost his right arm at Red Oak Station, Georgia.
He made his home in Eau Claire after the war, and very appro-
priately was chosen to fire the old brass cannon at Fourth of July
celebrations here for many years.
The war meetings held at the commencement of the war were
mostly for the purpose of getting recruits and were mostly local
in the village. On August 7, 1862, a call was made for a county
meeting for the purpose of raising funds to help the families of
the soldiers who had enlisted or would later enlist. In the Free
Press of August 14, 1862, we find the folloM'iug: "On Tuesday
afternoon one of the largest and most enthusiastic meetings ever
held in this county took place in the grove on the west side. Not-
withstanding our farmers were in the midst of the harvest, that
class of our citizens turned out nobly, and although only four
days' notice had been given for the meeting, all parts of the
county were fully represented. Mr. N. B. Boyden was chosen
chairman, and set the ball in motion by a good speech. Rev.
Bradley Phillips, of Chippewa Falls, and Mr. A. Meggett, of this
place, then addressed the meeting at lengtli. Their speeches were
able, eloquent, eminently patriotic and full of force. Many short
talks were made during the afternoon by various gentlemen
present, but the most encouraging and patriotic feature of the
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 119
occasion was the liberal manner in which subscriptions were
raised. Money was offered without stint or reserve. Everyone
seemed desirous to contribute, and ahnost every one did con-
tribute. A large fund was made up by voluntary subscriptions,
which is to be appropriated as follows: Every volunteer is to
receive a cash bonus of $10 on enrolling his name, the balance to
be disbursed to the family of each volunteer at the rate of $5
per month ; and in case of wants and necessities of any family to
require more a central committee will attend to them, and decide
upon tlie additional amounts to meet the necessities of each par-
ticular case."
LADIES' SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY.
From Eau Claire Free Press, August 28, 1862. — "The Eau
Claire Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society has been organized for the
purpose of supplying, as far as possible, the wants of our sick and
wounded soldiers. The articles most needed in the way of cloth-
ing are slippers, shirts, drawers, dressing gowns, woolen socks,
towels, handkerchiefs, etc. In the way of eatables and delicacies
the following articles are always useful: Dried fruits, fresh
fruits, canned tomatoes, tomato catsup, canned fresh meat, beef
tea in cakes, jellies, pickles, Indian meal, spices, especially cap-
sicum, essence of ginger, onions, fresh butter (in small stone jars),
etc. A liberal supply of these articles will save the lives of thou-
sands of our brave soldiers. If we are to have an army of a
million men we must make provision for at least one hundred and
sixteen thousand sick. Shall we not do what we can in the
benevolent and patriotic work of taking care of these sick and
wounded ? Do they not deserve this at our hands ? Let each
town and community organize at once a 'Ladies' Soldiers' Aid
Society' auxiliary to the county society, and as fast as articles
are made or gathered together send them to the officers of the
county society at Eau Claire, who will attend to their being
packed and forwarded. We expect next week to send some boxes
to the Eighth Wisconsin Regiment, and probably to the Sixteenth
by Sergeant Schmidtmeyer. All articles intended for these boxes
must be in before Saturday next. — Mrs. Charles Whipple, presi-
dent ; Mrs. n. P. Graham, treasurer ; Miss Augusta Kidder, secre-
tary."
Probably no company that went out from Eau Claire during
the Civil War was recruited more quietly or quickly than the
"Eau Claire Stars," which later became Company I of the Thir-
tieth Wisconsin Infantry. Three full companies had already left
,u4
120 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
the village aud recruiting officers were constantly busy picking
up recruits to fill up the ranks of earlier companies, making the
task of making up a new company a more than usually difficult
matter. The history of the "Eau Claire Stars" Avas different
from that of the other companies from Eau Claire. Instead of
being sent south to fight the Confederates they were sent up into
the Dakotas to hold the Indians in check, who were threatening
trouble. In the Free Press of August 28, 1862, was the following :
"The new company is nearly full and it will be one of the best
that ever went from this county. It contains men of muscle, will,
talent and military experience. A few more men will be accepted
if application is made immediately. Fill up the ranks." The Free
Press of September 11, 1862, stated: "The election of officers in
the new company, 'The Eau Claire Stars,' took place on Monday
afternoon and resulted in the choice of N. B. Greer for captain,
Charles Buckman for first lieutenant and J. H. Hutson second
lieutenant. The two former were with General Scott all through r\L^
Mexico and are admirably calculated to command the esteem and
confidence of the noble fellows of the company. The following
are the names of the volunteers : Peter Anderson, August Back,
Edward P. Buck, Norman L. Buck, William Bell, J. M. Bernis, wyr^
John A. Bride, Philo Baldwin, Charles Buckman, John L. Ball, (j
Peter Berry, Ira G. Bills, Edwin Brown, Charles J. Branch,
Ephraim Crockett, Sanders Cochran, Charles Coats, Almeron F.
Ellis, Oilman Goodman, Charles Goodwin, Ira F. Goodwin, N. B.
Greer, Michael Garland, J. S. Huston, Israel Ilerrill, John Hona-
del, Charles Hale, Ephraim Herrick, William Hanley, Henry W.
Howard, George E. Jones, Aaron C. Hall, John Jones, James S.
Jones, C. C. Knox, Thomas M. Kennedy, Michael Lawler, S. B.
Luther, Erastus P. Livermore, Thomas N. McCauley, John W.
Merrill, Richard Masters, W. F. Page, Philip Perry, Andrew M.
Patrick, Isaac Palmer, Samuel Pitchard, Samuel Paul, George D.
Olin, Ernest Roach, Lester Reynolds, William Ralph, Carl
Roehrig, L. Howland, II. W. Roberts, William H. Rolf, R. L.
Sumner, Thomas N. Sargent, Fred Sargent, Henry Spaulding,
George Sibit, Stephen Skinner, Adrian Smith, Robert Winegar,
Alexander Watson, Michael Weircle, John Yost."'
On the 22nd of September the ladies of the village
presented a flag to this company at a meeting held in Reed's
Hall. Each member of the company was given a copy of
the New Testament. The flag presentation address was
given by Miss Anna Wells, and was as follows :
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 121
"Soldiers of the Eau Claire Stars:
"The ladies of Eau Claire present you this emblem of
liberty, wrought by their own hands, as an evidence of the
faith they cherish in your patriotism, your courage and
your fidelity to your country, and of their confidence that
when called upon to uphold and defend it upon the field
of battle you will do it with a valor and heroism that will
overwhelm with destruction and defeat any domestic or
foreign foe who shall seek to trample it in the dust or over-
throw the government of which it is the fit and historic
insignia. Accept it, not as a trivial and meaningless com-
pliment, but as a sacred gift, to be upheld and defended
as you would j'our lives and your honor. Let it be the
cynosure in the hottest moment of conflict and in the dark-
est hour of peril. Never let it fall before the foe. Should
the fortunes of war require it let its graceful folds envelop
the patriotic dead, and when the clouds of dissension shall
have passed away we cherish the hope that you may be
spared to bring it back in triumph, without one stripe
erased or a star obscured. We bid you farewell and God-
speed."
The "Eau Claire Stars," sixty-three strong, with fifty-eight
of tlie Chippewa Falls company left here October 11, 1862, on
board the steamer Chippewa Falls, and reached Reed's Landing
in time for supper. Here they boarded the steamer Key City
and reached Prairie du Chien Monday morning. After reaching
Madison, the company not being full, about the first of December
Captain Greer came back to Eau Claire from Camp Randall to
pick up some twenty more recruits. Although the Whipple com-
pany was being recruited at that time Captain Greer had no
difficulty in getting the desired number and early in December
took them back with him to Madison. The following are the
names of the recruits Avho went to Madison with Captain Greer
to join the "Eau Claire Stars": Alexander Andrews, Orin S.
Blin, Alexander Boyer, David A. Boynton, Charles E. Brown,
John W. Close, Frank Griffin, Clark B. Hadley, Horace S. Hadley,
Henry F. Hadley. Elpha J. Horton, Friend H. Hull, Charles John-
son, John S. Rodd, Richard A. Reynolds, William L. Taylor, John
A. Taylor, Andrew G. Thorp, George P. Vaux, Henry J. Way,
William Merrick. The trip as far as Sparta was made by team.
Among the recruits taken to Madison at this time we find that of
C. E. Brown, who served as a private in the Greer company, and
122 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
I have prevailed upon Jiim to relate his recollections of the "Eau
Claire Stars" in the Indian country.
Mr. Brown's Story. "I was twenty-three years of age at the
time the Greer company was recruited. Had always been accus-
tomed to lumbering operations and for several years had worked
in the logging camps on the drives of the Chippewa Valley. I
had planned to go into the woods again that winter, and well
remember how strongly my old employer opposed my enlistment.
At that time the felling of trees was done with an axe, and as
head axeman it was my job to chop down the pine trees in such
a way as to break them up the least, and also to be convenient
for .skidding. Early in December we left Eau Claire for Camp
Randall, at Madisou. The weather was extremely cold, that being
the coldest winter ever known in the Chippewa Valley. We
remained at Camp Randall until the spring of 1864, then left for
St. Louis. While there it was decided that, our company should
be sent up the Missouri river to Fort Union, in the extreme north-
eastern part of North Dakota. As soon as the water was high
enough in the spring we started. There were two steamboats,
our own, the Fort Union, and the Fort Benton, bound for the fort
of that name still farther up the Missouri. There were about 100
soldiers on each, besides perhaps as many more other passengers,
also supplies, etc.
"We were nearly six weeks on the trip. One week of this time
was spent at Kansas City, building a flat boat or barge, as the
steamboat was found to be overloaded. It was at this place
that I had my first buffalo hunt. Two of us got permission to
go out. The country was a succession of ridges and ravines, mak-
ing it difficult for us to keep within sight of each other, and we
soon separated. I had not hunted long before I saw three buffalo
bulls some distance away, and making right toward me. They
were so much bigger, and more savage looking than anything
I had expected that I was thoroughly scared and started for the
boat, and not content with the speed I was making I hurriedly
pulled off' my heavy boots and ran in my stocking feet, regardless
of the prickly pears which covered the ground. When I got to
the boat and ventured to look around 1 saw the buffaloes leisurely
going off in an opposite direction. My buffalo hunt made sport
for the boys.
"As we went farther up the river buffalo became more plenti-
ful. At one place a herd of perhaps five hundred stopped our
steamboat for several hours. They filled the stream in front of
the boat, and also got under the paddle wheels. The boys shot at
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 123
thein from the steamer decks. They killed some. Occasionally
they M'ould hit a big bull, who would start for the bank, and then,
shaking his long mane, would charge back at the boat, but, of
course, we were beyond their reach. At one point in the river
the boat passed under some high overhanging cliffs. We were
told that here the Indians were likely to heave rocks down on
the boats. To guard against this we disembarked below the cliffs
and marched to the summit. We found no Indians, but the
ground was piled with the bones and skulls ol' those who had been
killed there. It was an old Indian battle ground.
"Fort Union was situated on a high open ridge near the river.
About a half mile up the river the ground was lower, and covered
with small timber, cottonwoods, etc. A similar piece of timber,
only larger and heavier, lay about a mile down the river, and
there was also timber on the opposite bank. Close to the river
the brush was so dense and thick one could see but a few feet
ahead of him. Tliere were a number of Indian tribes near us, but
only the Sioux M'ere troublesome. The Crows were especially
friendly. Their camp was about sixty miles north, but some of
them stayed around the fort or pitched their wigwams inside of
the stockade. Some of our company were granted the privilege
of visiting the Crows at their camp, spending several days with
them, and we were treated with all the liospitality their means
Avould allow. We also hunted buffalo wi1h tlicm. but none of us
were experts, and our awkwardness in atteiiiptiiig to chase buf-
falo on their pones gave the Indians a great deal of amusement.
The orders were that the men should only leave the fort to go any
consideral)lc distauci' except in companies of ten or more. As
weeks Mould pass without any signs of hostile Indians the men
would becoiiic HKuc careless and would often go hunting singly.
One day I took a light gun and went across the river in a skiff
to hunt rabbits. I left the skiff and returning to it only a few
minutes later found the tracks of a big grizzly bear by the skiff
made in my absence. I lost no time in getting out of that vicinity.
"In our company were several of the boys who were just ach-
ing to run across a grizzly, and often told how they would fix him
if opportunity offered. At last they got their chance. Under
charge of First Sergeant Orrin S. Hall six of them went some dis-
tance from the fort for several days of elk hunting. One day
they had shot two elk, had strung one up and, it being late, had
left the other on the ground. In the morning they went to look
for the one left on the ground but it had disappeared, and the
tracks of a big grizzly showed what had become of it. Hall was
124 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
a brave and fearless man, and I will have more to say of him later.
With him in the lead the boys cautiously followed the grizzly's
trail, and before long came upon him standing over the dead elk.
Hall told the boys that the only show was to kill the grizzly at
the first fire, otherwise some of the company would very likely
be killed by the grizzly. Telling the boys to take careful aim and
to fire when he counted three, the boys raised their guns, but their
hands shook so that Hall told them to put down their guns. After
a few moments he told them to try again, but their hands shook
worse than ever. Seeing it would be foolhardy to allow them to
shoot under the circumstances a retreat was ordered, and tlie
grizzly was left in undisturbed possession of the field.
"Wolves were plentiful around the fort. We had in our com-
pany a man by the name of Blin, who made quite a business dur-
ing the winter of poisoning the wolves, with the intention of
skinning them later and selling the pelts. An old buifalo would
be shot and while still warm poison would be put into it, which
would spread throughout the carcass. The wolf pelts would bring
only a dollar, and it was worth more than that to skin them. P>y
spring there were a hundred carcasses piled up outside the fort,
but Blin put otf the skinning job so long that warm weather
struck him, the carcasses began to smell to high heaven and th.^
poor fellow had to tote them all to the river and throw them in.
"On New Year's day, 1865, we had a grand ball. Each of the
boys had invited a squaw for a partner weeks in advance, and tlie
way those squaws bought gay ribbons and finery for the occasion
was a sight to see. We chipped in and paid our cook an extra ^2;")
for preparing the spread, while we furnished the provisions. In
the absence of large game we had a hundred rabbits for meat.
Only the squaws came to the ball. Many of them were of mixed
French and Indian blood and knew something of dancing, and
the others were not slow to learn. It was a sight to note tlieir
appetites and amusing to see them tucking away in their clothing
the cake they were unable to eat.
"The Sioux Indians oceasionallj' came to tlie fort ready to
waylay an individual or small company they might find. One day
I Avas hunting rabbits in the thick brush across the river when
I heard the crackling of brush not far back of me, then on one
side and then on the other. I gave the call to which our boys and
the Crows always responded, but received no reply. I realized
that the sounds were made by Sioux Indians, so I made a break
for the river bank, but the Indians did not show themselves this
time. On another occasion I was about a mile below our fort near
EAV CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 125
an old deserted log fort in a clearing. Three Sioux on horseback
started for me, but I ran and got behind the logs of the old fort.
They circled around me a number of times and tried to induce me
to come out into the open, but I could not see it in that light.
Finally they rode away and after waiting for a considerable time
I made for the fort. On another occasion the Indians made a
raid and captured every horse belonging to our company. The
soldiers and friendly Crows started in pursuit. There was con-
siderable confusion and delay in getting started ; then it was some-
times hard to tell Sioux from Crow Indians. We usually distin-
guished them by their horses. I was about to shoot at what I
felt sure was a Sioux, when Captain Greer stopped me telling
me that was a Crow. A little later this same Indian, who proved
to be a Sioux, made for us. I fired, but had forgotten to remove
the wooden plug or "Tompkins" which we kept in our guns to
prevent rusting. The Indian kept right on, but was killed a few
moments after by one of the Crows, and two pieces of ray Wooden
plug were found imbedded in bis chest. The Crow scalped his
victim, and the squaws, not content with this, later cut off the
hands and feet of the corpse and otherwise mutilated it.
"The only loss of life to the company by the Indians occurred
in April, 1865. Grizzly signs had been seen in a piece of timber
less than a mile from the fort where some of the boys had been
detailed to cut firewood. Early in the morning Sergeant Orrin S.
Ilall, George Vaux and Erastus Livermore went out to see if they
could get a shot at the grizzly. Soon Livermore came running
back to the fort, stating that Hall and Vaux had both been killed
by the Indians. Livermore had a hole shot through his coat, but
was uninjured. He had seen the other two fall, but had managed
to escape. The carti-idge had stuck in his gun, and being unable
to shoot he had .jumped over the river bank and made his way
back to the fort. We hurriedly made for the timber. It was scarcely
light. We found Vaux badly wounded but alive. He had crawled
into a thicket and later had crawled back to the trail so we would
find him. A little further along we found poor Hall, dead, pierced
with fourteen arrows and scalped. One Indian lay dead on the
field and we could see where a wounded Indian had been taken
away by friends. Vaux said that Ilall died like the brave man
he was, continuing to shoot until he fell. The dead Indian was
scalped and the scalp was brought back to Eau Claire by Alex.
Watson, well known to old residents. Vaux recovered and
returned to this county. We were at Fort Union just about one
year. In the spring of 1865 we returned to Louisville, Ky. At
126 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
that place I was taken sick and was sent home. That was in
August. The company returned to St. Louis and from there went
to Washington, taking part in the grand review, after which both
of them returned to this section of the country."
Editor Daily Telegram: Several weeks ago an account
was given of the battle of Parmington, with the death of
Captain Perkins, of the Eagle company, and the promotion
of Lieutenant Wolf to the head of the company. That was
in May, 1862.
Today we have a letter from Captain Green, of the
Eagle regiment, describing the siege and later battle of
Corinth :
"Bivouac, South of Corinth, Miss., June 4, 1862. — The thing
'which was to have arroven have arrived.' Corinth is ours! Of
course you have heard through the newspapers all about the
evacuation, the fight with the rear guards, the destruction of
property, etc. I only know that the enemy skedaddled; that a
part of our army is in Corinth and that General Pope's corps has
marched through and is now bivouacking three or four miles
south of Corinth. It is said that 4,000 prisoners were taken, but
I have not seen them. But now I will proceed to give you an
account of our movements from the 27th of May to the present
time ; first remarking that our regiment was in the front line
and met the last charge of the enemy, repulsed them and drove
the into their intrenchments. Our loss was small, only two killed
and four wounded in Company I. On the 27th of May our regi-
ment went on grand guard. Well, as I was saying, we had our
sentinels posted by 9 o'clock of the 27th. The rebel guard was
not over 500 yards in our front and the sentinels could see each
other and even hold conversation ; but they did not talk much ;
it is a serious breach of military discipline, and a violation of
the rules of war. About 9 o'clock in the morning we expected to
be relieved, not knowing that all the forces had left camp and
were marching to the front. We soon found out, however, that
we were to be relieved from picket duty only to go into more
serious business, for in an hour or so a line of skirmishers came
out in advance of our forces, passed beyond our guard lines and
attacked the rebel pickets. They drove the rebel pickets in, after
some sharp firing, and followed them closely. Our guards were
called off post, canteens filled with fresh water, and then we
started in search of our brigade. Found it about a mile to the
right, and in advance of all the other forces, drawn up in line of
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 127
battle in a little ravine running through an old cornfield with
rising ground in front, from the top of which the land sloped
down gradually four hundred yards to a creek, across which on
another knoll was a rebel fort, one of the strongest of all the
Corinth works, mounting twelve guns and defended by one or
more brigades of infantry. The creek ran parallel with our
line of battle and extended three hundred yards to our right,
when it turned and ran at a right angle with our lines, heavily
timbered on the opposite side. We had no sooner taken our posi-
tion on the right of our brigade than the rebel battery commenced
throwing shells at us. We got out of the ravine as quickly as we
could and laid down on the side of the hill in front, which afforded
protection against cannon shot and shell. The deep worn corn
furrows comfortably hid a fellow. Our own batteries opened on
the rebels immediately, firing over our heads as well as from our
right and left ; a deafening, terrific cannonading was kept up for
half an hour. It seemed as if hell had broke loose. All at once
there was a cessation of the cannonading from the rebel battery
and we began to cheer, supposing their guns had been dismounted.
But the rising shout was soon drowned in the quick sharp reports
of musketry on our left, which increased in a few moments to vol-
leys. Up it came from left to right ; up to our feet we sprang and
forward to the top of the hill. The left companies of our regiment
were already engaged, and as soon as we reached the brow of the
hill we saw the rebel infantry rushing toward us. Bang, bang,
whiz, zip, zip, sang the rifle balls. The butternuts stood to give
about three volleys, their colonel on a splendid looking white
horse galloping between the two lines shouting, 'Forward my
brave men! The battery is ours!' The horse an instant after
rushed riderless through our ranks bleeding from one shoulder.
Dust and smoke until you couldn't tell a man from a stump ten
yards off. Forward we rushed, firing and shouting, officers giv-
ing orders to the tops of their voices, when a voice was heard
crying: 'Look out to the right, men! Look out to the right!'
And three men on horseback emerged into view from that direc-
tion, one of whom, a magnificent looking old soldier, we recog-
nized as 'Old Rosy,' General Rosencrans, and at the same instant
almost the rebels came out of the woods to our right and showered
us with musket balls, but overshooting. With a yell. Company A
and my company wheeled 'round to the right and dashed after
them to the edge of the timber, but the rebels, not more than one
or two companies, who had been deployed there as skirmishers,
skedaddled fast, although we wounded eight or ten of them and
128 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUxVTY
captured their knapsacks, blankets and haversacks filled with five
days' rations which they had laid in a pile before advancing.
The fight lasted only twenty minutes. Thirty rebels were dead
on the field in front of our regiment and a good many were picked
up wounded. A few were taken prisoners. We lost only two
killed and four wounded. The rebel charge was gallantly exe-
cuted— they got so close to one of our batteries that the artillery-
men shot some of them with revolvers. That night we threw up
intrenchments and stayed there until the night of the twenty-
ninth. The rebels left on that day.
"Bivouac, near Boonville, Miss., June 6, 1862. — We are 30
miles south of Corinth, chasing the rebels. Beauregard's evacua-
tion of Corinth was not altogether successful. The road for 20
or 30 miles south of Corinth was strewn with discarded equipage,
whole camps, tents, commissary and quartermaster's stores, sick
and wounded soldiers, wagons, mules, etc., left or abandoned in
the greatest haste, showing that we pressed hard after them.
We found plenty of graves, in one of which was buried a 12-pound
howitzer. It had a headboard marked 'W. C.,' with date, etc.
They had not time to round up the grave before our advance
came in sight.
"October 3. — We have completed the circle and now hail
again from Corinth. We are in camp about five miles west of
town. I am in a private house under the surgeon's care. The
enemy, Price and Van Dorn's army, is all around us everywhere,
but no one seems to know just where.
"Camp near Ripley, October 8. — I began this letter at
Corinth, October 3, and had only gotten it fairly commenced
when the surgeon came into my room greatly excited, saying the
rebels were coming. There were but a few soldiers in town.
Our brigade was marching from a point five or six miles southwest
toward Corinth as rapidly as possible. About noon the report of
cannon was heard in the near distance and our troops began
pouring into town from different directions and forming into line
of battle. I waited from 11 o'clock in the forenoon until the
middle of the afternoon before our regiment put in its appear-
ance. I tell j'ou it was a period of awful suspense, and I never
was so glad in my life as I was to see the old Eagle regiment
coming up the road. They had been on the run for several hours
and were in a state of exhaustion. I joined my company and we
went into the fight. We doubled-quicked through a field and ran
directly into the enemy in the woods, who poured a deadly fire
into our ranks while we were marching and before we could form
MEUT. LANCASTER
CAPT. W. P. GRAVES j ' ']
l>*-^\
^c^
UT. 51. i;. wyjiAN
LIEUT. T. NARY
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 129
in line of battle. The fight was hot for ten minutes or more, but
the enemy were too strong for us. They had ten times our num-
ber. They made a charge, yelling like so many screech owls or
devils. We stood our ground and fired volley after volley into
them, but it seemed to make no impression on them whatever.
Tliey came right on like a great wave, overwhelming everything
in its progress. Catching sight of our eagle those in front of our
regiment gave forth an unearthly yell and started to capture it.
Old Abe, up to that time had behaved himself with great gal-
lantry, but at this moment a bullet slightly wounded him under
one wing and he hopped off his perch to the ground and ducked
his head between his carrier's legs. All attempts to make him
stay on his perch were useless. He was thoroughly demoralized,
and the same feeling extended itself to the line and they broke
and ran before the rebel charge, the carrier of the eagle picking
him up and carrying him under his arm as fast as he could run.
It was a new experience for us, for heretofore we had always
been the victors. The regiment and brigade dissolved so quickly
that it was impossible to see what had become of them. I found
myself with Captain Wolf, of Company C, and the colors, with
perhaps a dozen men. The color bearer was shot and the next
man who picked them up was wounded. We brought them off the
field with the enemy at our heels. We got back to Battery
Robinette, which opened on the rebels and checked their advance
and waited the next move. It was now dusk and the fight for
that day was over. We laid on our arms all night, and as soon
as morning broke the cannonading opened and Avas kept up with
fearful energy. After this our advance skirmishers were driven
in and we formed our lines and waited. We did not have long
to wait. The rebel line of battle emerged from the woods and
came forward to Battery Robinette through the abbatis formed
by falling trees, with the greatest heroism and daring. All the
guns of the fort and the musketry of our line of battle opened
on them, but on they came, closing up their ranks-on, on, running,
climbing, shooting, shouting and yelling — their leader, Colonel
Rogers, mounted on a white horse, riding in advance waving his
sword and looking as grand and noble as Mars himself. Oh, it was
a terrible charge. Right up to the parapet of the battery they
swarmed, their gallant leader and his horse being shot as he
leaped the ditch. They swarmed over the parapet. Our line of
battle gave way before them and fell back, perhaps, fifty yards,
when General Rosecrans, bareheaded, waving his hat and sword,
rushed along in front of the line and the men soon went forward
130 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
and drove the rebels back. Some of the rebels actually got into
the battery and were killed or captured by the gunners. Many
surrendered rather than run the risk of being killed on the re-
treat. The ground in front was covered with their dead and
wounded. Over 3,000 rebels were killed and wounded. Our loss
was not so large, but was heavy enough. Our regiment had ninety
men killed and wounded. The records of the world may be
searched in vain, I verily believe, to find a more desperate, bloody
and gallant charge than that made by the rebels. They had every-
thing at stake. Everything depended on their winning the battle
and they fought hard for it, but in vain. The two armies were
about equal in numbers, but we had the heaviest artillery. As
soon as the charge was over Ave waited for them to try it again.
But they did not charge again. Again and again they formed
their lines and advanced to the edge of the woods, but their men
would go no further. Officers swore and- appealed to them to go
in just once more, but they had had enough."
It was in the fall of 1862, soon after the battle of Corinth,
that Coloney Murphy, of the Eighth Wisconsin, allowed the
enemy to destroy an immense store of supplies at Holly Springs,
which event had an important bearing on the Vicksburg campaign,
making, as it did, impossible the carrying out of one of the earlier
plans for the reduction of "Vicksburg.
The late Col. W. F. Vilas, in his history of the Vicksburg cam-
paign, makes the following reference to this affair: "And to cap
all, the surprise by Van Dorn of Holly Springs, the intermediate
base where Grant had gathered a million dollars' worth of sup-
plies, which the enemy destroyed, determined his (Grant's) with-
drawal from this attempt. It is humiliating to add that the cow-
ardice of a Wisconsin officer. Colonel Murphy, of the Eighth In-
fantry, the Eagle regiment, who basely yielded the post at Holly
Springs, which he could easily have defended, furnished tlie sole
reason for tliat disaster; because, but for his action, liis men woiild
have protected the place. It is not a consolation that he \Aas
promptly cashiered. ' '
In May, 1863, we find Grant's army before Vicksburg, and
Captain Green, writing to his wife as follows: "Camp near Vicks-
burg, May 26, 1863. — On returning to camp (eve of the twenty-
first) we had an order that the army was to charge the enemy's
works at ten o'clock next day all along the line. In the morning
the army was in line of battle, waiting the order to go in. It
was about noon, however, when the bugles sounded and the Union
Army, with Hags waving over them, charged the rebel works.
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 131
Our brigade was held in reserve. We stood in line of battle and
saw the front go in. They melted away before the withering
fire from the entrenchments and soon disappeared from view.
Presently, when the smoke lifted, we saw them in ravines and in
the ditch right under the rebel guns, with their Hags planted on
the outer slope of their works. About two o'clock in the after-
noon General Grant and Adjutant-General Rawlins met Generals
Sherman, Tuttle and Mower, where we were standing under arms.
Grant had on a slouch hat, a torn blouse and an ej'e glass slung
over his shoulder. They had a conference at the head of our
regiment, and several of us officers went up to where they were
talking and heard what they said. General Grant said he had a
dispatch from McClernand, on the extreme right of him, down
by the Mississippi river, on the lower side of Vicksburg, stating
that his troops had carried the enemy's works and were now in
them, and if another charge was made on another part of the
line to prevent the enemy sending re-enforcements to repel him
he could go into the city. I heard General Grant say that he
did not think it was true, but it might be so, and in order that the
enterprise might not fail for lack of support, he would order that
another charge be made immediately; and turning to General
Sherman, he said: 'Send in your reserves.' General Sherman
turned to General Tuttle, our division coiiniiander, and ordered
him to send in a brigade. General 'riitlli' sjiid in turn to General
Mower, wlio commanded our brigade, '(icuci-al. charge the works
with your brigade at once.' General Mower was a brave man,
there was no discount on that — he meant to obey the order, but
could not help saying, 'General, it will be the death of every man
in the brigade to go in there now,' and without waiting to hear
what reply was made he sent his aide to the colonels command-
ing the regiments of the brigade with orders to follow the ad-
vance, marching by right flank for about one hundred yards,
where the groiuid would not permit a forward movement in line
of battle, and when they got out of this to form in line of battle
and charge on the double quick. The Eleventh Missouri was in
the lead, the Fifth Minnesota came next, the Eighth Wisconsin
was next and the Forty-seventh Illinois in the rear.
"The orders were given. We moved down the road diagonally
to the front, mareliing four abreast until we struck a sunken road,
three or four feet deeper than the surrounding ground. This
sunken road was perhaps two hundred yards long, then it tui-ned
to the right. We were marching four abreast through this road
until it turned, then we were to form in line of battle and march
132 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
forward. Just as we struck the road we came out in full view
of the enemy, who were standing by their guns. Our appearance
was the signal for them to open fire on us with all their guns
and a stream of fire shot out from the rebel works not over a
thousand yards away. It was perfectly awful. The two regiments
ahead of us had disappeared and the sunken road was full of dead
and wounded. Just as we reached it, Lieutenant Chapman, as
brave a young fellow as every was in the army, and a genial com-
panion was shot, a canister shot hitting him in the breast and
going through him. He fell against me, his blood spurting out in
streams. I laid him down as gently as I could. His eyes looked
into mine, but he was dead, killed instantly. We actually stepped
on the dead and wounded in the sunken road, so thickly were they
lying. Men were falling all aroinid us. The bullets whizzed in
our ears like a s\varm of bees and the shells exploded among us
incessantly. We reached the turn in the road and left it, the com-
panies making a half wheel to get into line of battle, then charged
forward on the double quick, without much regard to alignment.
The ground was open and level, here and there a tree or a stump
or a bunch of cane behind which a squad of men were crouching.
The works were only a few lumdred yards ahead, but it seemed
a mile. We ran on through an iron hail before which our men
fell like leaves, killed and wounded. Our flag went down — then
reappeared — the air thick with the dust and the noise of the
enemy's shots pei'fectly deafening. It seemed as if we would
never get there, but at last we reached the ditch at the foot of
the entrenchments, jumped and drew a long breath of relief.
Our color-bearer was boosted up and planted his flag in the ground
half way up.
"Well, it was just as General Grant anticipated, our charge
was a useless waste of life ; McClernand did not get into the city ;
indeed, he had never been inside of the works. We lay in the
ditch until after dark. During the time we were lying there the
rebels would put their muskets over the parapets and shoot down
at us. If one of them showed his head above the works our boys
were watching and it was a dangerous operation. Several of our
boys were wounded in the ditch. After dark an armistice was
proclaimed to carry off our dead and wounded and our brigade,
indeed all the troops, marched back to camp. The regiment had
thirty killed and seventy-five or eighty wounded. The next morn-
ing an order was issued that the works were too strong to be
carried by assault, that we must get them by regular approaches,
consequently we are now digging our way up : exactly the same
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IX THE CIVIL WAR 133
experience that the allies had before Savastopol. I think a fort-
night will end the siege. There are supposed to he twenty-five
or thirty thousand men in Vicksburg, we have not over twenty-
five thousand, if that many.
"This campaign will be forever memorable in history and
stamps General Grant as the greatest military genius of the age.
He whipped Johnson's thirty thousand men and drove him so far
away he can do no more miseliief, then turned round and penned
Pemberton's men up iu Vicksburg, and all with a smaller army
than either Johnson's or Pemberton's. His headquarters are only
a short distance to our right and rear. We see him every day,
common as a private soldier, but he always seems to be thinking.
Grant, Sherman, Logan and McPherson are great soldiers. If the
array of the Potomac had such generals, Richmond would soon be
ours." During the progress of the Vicksburg siege the Eighth
Wisconsin was moved about considerably. Had a sharp skirmish
at Mechanicsville, also near Richmond.
"Camp on Black river, 12 miles east of Vicksburg. — I wish we
had as great a general as Lee to command our eastern army.
Vicksburg, Julj^ 4, 1863, 2 o'clock p. m. — I am writing this on a
yellow piece of paper in the cupola of the Vicksburg court house,
and I send it to you with a bunch of splinters from one of the
pillars of the steeple, where a shell had gone through it. The
whole cupola is riddled with our shells. The long siege is at last
over.
"July 4. — Later in the day. The scenes we Avitnessed on com-
ing into the city beggar description. I cannot write them to you.
The Confederate troops were in the last stage of starvation. They
had been living on mule meat for some days. I saw some of it
and it was enough to turn one's stomach. The rebels were glad
to see us, too. The hills are honey-combed with caves in which
they have lived. As we walk along the street we can see women
running toward each other, crying for joj', and throwing their
arms, around each other's necks and weeping and kissing.'"
Through the kindness of Mrs. Charles CofiSn we furnish the
following description of Vicksburg, as written by Captain Culbert-' '-'<'-
son, of the Sixteenth Wisconsin: "If there were about ninety
hills like Barren Bluff sitting near together with dugways through -| kA-.~^ "i
the liills, trenches, rifle pits, forts and redoubts on every command- t/L<»->X^
ing point. If there was such a place, it would be as near like Vicks-
burg as anything I can think of at present, but still it would
want one thing to complete the scene, which these hills would
want to be covered with buildings and the buildings riddled with
134 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
shells. But for all this, there are some very fine streets in the
place, also some fine buildings, but finest of all are the shade
trees, which are on every street, almost hiding the houses. If I
had seen this place before the boats run the blockade I should have
said that Grant was crazy to attempt anything of the kind, but
the old fellow has a long head and works to win. Let General
Grant have his army in here and I would defy the world to take
this place in seven years. ' '
"Vicksburg, Miss., August 19, 1863. — Dear Mother, Sister and
Brother: The steamer City of Madison was blown up today while
lying at the levee loading ammunition to take below. There was a
detail of about three hundred men, white and black, loading her,
and it was all done by the carelessness of one negro. As they Avere
loading percussion shells the negro threw one of the boxes filled
with these shells into the hold, discharging the whole lot, and as the
boat had several tons on, the bursting of one shell set the whole
cargo ofl'. The boat was blown so that you could hardly tell
that it had ever been a boat. As near as can be ascertained now
there were nearly 156 lives lost. The steamer Walch, that lay
along side of her, was nearly as bad, but I believe there was no
loss of life on the Walch. The loss of life and property was awful.
There was not a whole pane of glass left in a building within 80
rods, so great was the concussion. Men were blown across the
river and fragments of the wreck could be seen all througli the
city.
"Your son and brother, H. M. Culbertson.'"
It will be remembered that the Sixteenth regiment, to which
Captain Wheeler's company belonged, was badly cut up at the
battle of Pittsburg Landing or Shiloh. Later engagements, sick-
ness and death further reduced its ranks, and it was found neces-
sary to reorganize the regiment. This was done by consolidating
the ten old companies into five and adding "new companies B,
D, F, H and K. " John Kelly, who went out as a private in Cap-
tain Wheeler's Company G, was made captain of "new company
B," a well earned promotion. I find no other Eau Claire man in
this company, it being recruited from the eastern part of the
state. One of the "new companies," Company H, was recruited
here.
Free Press, December 3, 1863. On Monday last 67 men for a
new company in the Sixteenth left for LaCrosse in charge of D. C.
Whipple and John T. Tinker. This company has been recruited
in less time than it required to raise any previous one. Messrs.
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 135
Tinker, Whipple and M. A. Shaw have labored zealously to raise
this company, and their efforts have been erovi^ned with the most
ample success. No officers of this company were elected until
after their arrival at LaCrosse. No list of the privates in this
company was printed at the time, but from the official roster the
list below is furnished. Capt., Darwin C. Whipple ; First Lieut.,
John T. Tinker ; Second Lieut., Milton Grover, Red Cedar ; Second
Lieut., Edward W. Allen, Eau Claire. Privates : John C. Bailey,
Burzelia Bailey, Walter D. Bailey, John C. Barland, William H. H.
Beebe, Harvey N. Benjamin, Edward J. Bonnell, John W. Brown,
Wesley C. Butterfield, James G. Cleghorn, Peter Cromwell, Sam-
uel C. Dean, Peter Deery, Isiah Drew, William H. Fox, John W.
Gilbert, Freeman Grover, Jefferson Heath, John W. Heasley,
Henry Ilendrickson, Benjamin P. Ilowland, Hiram Hill, Lyman
M. Hotehiss, Azro B. Hoyt, Arch K. Humphrey, Samuel Iverson,
John Johnson, Daniel E. Johnson, Dwight A. King, Myron N.
Lawton, Henry Longdo, George IMcElrath, Even J. Morgan, Ener
Nelson, Patrick Nooney, David A. Robertson, Joel Ross, John Ross,
Harvey N. Saunders, Myron A. Shaw, Canute Thompson, Cary P.
Wood, Henry Wyborney.
The history of Company H, which christened itself the "Wil-
liams Guards " in honor of H. Clay Williams, was published in
Tom Randall's history of the Chippewa Valley, as told by Lieut. j,v'-vvivvi.^ c^|^
E. W. Allen, and is herewith reprinted : -^ jL "^ n-^
"From the cold snows of the North to the balmy skies and *
peach blossoms of Vicksburg was a pleasant change. After doing
picket duty at Black River bridge for a month we were ordered
back to Vicksburg, from thence north on transports up the river,
passing Port Pillow a few hours after the massacre by Forrest.
Company H and two other companies were landed at Columbus to
assist the colored troops in defending the fort against an attack
momentarily expected from that chivalrous general, which, how-
ever, he failed to make. After two weeks of hard duty we joined
the command at Cairo, then preparing to join Sherman's army
in Northern George. From Cairo to Clifton, Tennessee, on trans-
ports, and thence by forced marches three hundred miles across
that state, Alabama and Georgia, taking position on the left of
the grand army, before Kenesaw Mountain, June 10, 1864. We
suffered terribly during this march and many gave out by the
way, among whom were Lieutenants Grover and Tinker, who went
to the hospital.
"From this time to the tenth of September, three months, we
were constantly under arms, marching, skirmishing and fighting.
136 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
our first exploits being in the battles about Kenesaw, where we
lost several men; then hotly pursuing the rebels night and day,
until they took refuge in their trenches before Atlanta. We lay
on our arras on the night of July 20, the enemy strongly fortified
in front, and just at break of day we were ordered to charge.
Grave doubts and fears were expressed, as there were so many
new recruits in the regiment, whether it would not be better to
put an old and tried regiment in our place, but after a short con-
sultation it was decided to keep us where we were, for if the
charge was made, the older soldiers Avho Avere supporting them
would have no confidence in them, and they would lose all con-
fidence in themselves. The result showed the wisdom of the con-
clusion. It was a trying moment when Colonel Fairchild shouted
the order, 'Fix bayonets, forward.' Out of the timber, down a
ravine, up and across a field, over their works, driving out Har-
dee's veterans and taking some prisoners, was but the work of a
moment. Lieutenant Colonel Reynolds, coming up quickly, said
to the new men, 'You are all veterans now, boys.'
"The general commanding the brigade sent word to General
Blair, saying, 'The "Wisconsin boys did nobly,' but it was praise
dearly earned. Colonel Fairchild, Lieutenant Colonel Reynolds,
Capt. John Wheeler, and many other officers were wounded, but
fortunately none killed. Company H lost two killed and seven
wounded. Captain Whipple particularly distinguished himself in
this action, and a somewhat laughable incident occurred during
the charge. So great was the excitement but little attention was
paid to his efl:orts to keep the men in line with the colors, but
finally becoming terribly in earnest and shouting above the roar
and din of battle, he sang out, 'If you don't know what line on
the colors means, keep your eyes on that flag. ' We held the works
all day under fire, and strengthened them at night ; but about noon
the next day the enemy burst on our left, and was crushing that
part of our army like an egg shell, coming boldly on until they
reached the works held by the Twelfth and Sixteenth Wisconsin,
who repulsed them in six successive terrible charges, first in front,
then in rear, and changing sides of their works as many times.
Captain Whipple showed himself the same hero here as the day
before, but the strain was too much ; constant fatigue and anxiety
and the suffering from his wound sent him to the ambulance.
Orderly Sergeant Allen took command of the company, there be-
ing no commissioned officer with the company. Being ordered to
another part of the field, by a forced march, Captain Whipple
again joined us and assisted in repi;lsing several charges, but was
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 137
soon obliged to go to field hospital, and E. W. Allen, just com-
missioned, took command.
"The final battles of Jonesborongh and Lovejoy's Station
closed the campaign, and with light hearts we spread our tents
in Atlanta, September 10, 1864. Our company was reduced from
ninety to twenty muskets, so severe had been the work. Here
we received a quantity of good things, pickles, berries, condensed
milk, etc., from kind friends in Eau Claire, for which, if ever
men felt grateful, we did. But we did not rest long. Hood had
gone north and was eating our crackers, so we were after him
again, and for five days and nights we chased him over moun-
tains, rivers and valleys, and then were ordered back to Atlanta
again, whei'e, for the first time in eight months, we received our
pay, and voted for president, thirty-four for Lincoln and two
for McClellan. That was the kind of men that composed Com-
pany H. On November 14 we started with Sherman on his grand
march to the sea, and a month of constant marching brought us
to the gates of Savannah, where, after a short resistance, we
marched, flags flying, into the city. Starting again, we took
Poeotaligo, out on the Charleston railroad, which fell in conse-
quence, and next our company was at the burning of Columbia,
then Cheraw, Fayetteville, Bentonville and Goldsborough were
taken, and after a few daj^s' rest, waiting for our absent men to
come up, a forced march brought us to Raleigh.
"When Captain Whipple, who had been sent home sick, re-
joined us, how glad we were to see him. Here the war virtually
closed. The fighting was over, but we were a long way from home,
but marching was easy now, for every day brought us nearer to
our loved ones there. On to Petersburg, Richmond and Wash-
ington, where on the twenty-third of May, we took part in the
grandest pageant ever seen in America, the grand review; Mrs.
Sherman throwing bouquets at our tattered and worn colors. We
were soon transferred to Louisville, Ky., where, on the fourth day
of July, 1865, General Sherman took a final farewell of us, and
a few days after we were mustered out, sent to Madison, received
our final pay and discharged on August 21, 1865, and with light
hearts started for home, never more, it is hoped, to be called
to take up arms for our beloved country against internal foes."
On the roster of Captain Whipple's company will be found the
name of John C. Barland, who furnished to the Telegram the fol-
lowing reminiscences of that company.
J. C. Barland, on request of the editor of the Telegram, fur-
nished an article on the late war, says, "to give a comrade's recol-
138 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
lection of the old Sixteenth Wisconsin volunteers should have some
response. The pressure of circumstances makes it difficult for
me to do so just now. Still I would fain offer something, for
when is not a tribute due to those gallant men? Through the
dimming mists of fifty years again they come before my vision.
■'I see them muster in a gleaming row,
"With ever youthful brows that nobler show,
We find in our dull road their shining track,
In every nobler mood,
We feel the orient of their spirits glow.
Part of our life's unalterable good —
Of all our saintlier aspiration."
Company G, the first to go, enrolled some of the choicest spirits
that Eau Claire could give. I cannot stop to enumerate. Of one
I will speak. John Kelly ; rough, yes rough, but a diamond in
the rough. Years later, when asked, "Do you receive a pension?"
his answer : "John, why should I receive a pension ? I was a bet-
ter man physically, morally and mentally when I came out than
when I went in." This was true. He was a growing man to
the last day of his life, and no finer thing can be said of any man.
In the fall of '63, while Vicksburg and Gettysburg still echoed
in our ears. Company H enlisted and later joined the Sixteenth
at Vicksburg. Of that company, Eau Claire may be proud. There
were Whipple and Tinker and Allen, so finely identified with the
early history of Eau Claire, all worthy of mention if these limits
permitted. Only a few remain — Merton of Bloomer, a good sol-
dier, and most worthy man, and Cleghorn of Eau Claire, splendid
soldier, good citizen, who gave of his best to his country and the
little valley that bears his name.
From the miasmas and sickness of the Mississippi valley the
early spring of '64 found us at Huntsville, Alabama, after a series
of arduous marches to join Sherman for the capture of Atlanta.
It was a grewsome sight, that Sunday afternoon, when we arrived
at Huntsville after a long forced march. The beautiful stream
that bubbles up from a great spring in the heart of Huntsville
was lined with our boys, their shirts in their hands picking off
the greybacks, and washing in the stream. From Huntsville
throiigh an enemy's country, 400 miles of forced marching and
fighting to our goal, Atlanta. On the long march, unable to obtain
supplies, many a soldier had to go barefoot. Such was the
writer's fate, who was known as the barefoot corporal. It was
near the base Kenesaw that we joined Sherman. It was here
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 139
1hat Company II received its baptism of fire. For hours we had
marched to the deepening sound of artillery. At first only a throb
on the air, and then, nearer and clearer and still clearer. A
strange silence stole over the men, and Captain Whipple, march-
ing at our side said: "Well boys, that is what we have been
marching so long for to find at last," And next the order to file
right into line, and now the bullets are whistling in our ears and
the shells from Kenesaw are bursting in our midst.
The great struggle for Atlanta was on. It lasted through all
those long, hot summer mouths. These limits will only permit of
a glimpse. There was a constant roar of battle, day and night,
upon some part of our line, swelling now into the assault upon
Kenesaw, where we were repulsed, now upon Lost Mountain, or
South Mountain, which stood like sentinels between us and At-
lanta, or again at Peachtree Creek, on the twenty-second of July,
when Hood flung himself upon us in the madness of desperation.
It was here that the Sixteenth Wisconsin, of all its memorable
conflicts, distinguished itself the most. Hood's veterans had
fiercely attacked our left wing in hope of turning it, and largely
it was the determination of the Sixteenth Wisconsin which pre-
vented this. If Hood could have turned our flauk at that time
he Avould have won a vast prize, for there, on our left flank, were
massed the wagon trains of our army. It was the fortune of
the writer at that time to be detailed to guard the wagon train.
Five hundred six-mule wagons were massed not three miles from
Decatur. Hood, for the moment, had turned our flank and was
sweeping down upon our train. The wagon fled in a furious panic
to form behind the center. The train guards were deployed in a
thin skirmish line to hold Hood in check. It was here the Six-
teenth, with others, saved the day, and Hood was turned back.
It was this incident that enabled the writer to speak intelligently
of that field. As we passed down the lines to rejoin our train,
behind the center, we passed the Sixteenth where they lay in the
midst of the carnage that had been wrought. There were the
dead rebels as thick as leaves, right up to the very foot of the
Sixteenth's lines. As we passed down the lines there were Icmg
rows of our own dead and wounded, and further on, younij: .Mc-
Pherson, the brave commander of our own army of the Tennessee,
lay still in death.
It was only a few days later that, assaying to go to the regi-
ment which lay beyond a little wood and down an open slope, that
I ran across Willard Bartlett, a member of Company G. He was
cooking at a fire. I knew him to be a good soldier, and I said to
140 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
him, "How is this, "Willard?" "Well," he said, "I have only
three days more to get my discharge and I prevailed on the offi-
cers to let me cook, so I might have a chance to get through."
The writer passed on through the wood to the open slope. Though
I knew that the regiment lay not forty rods away, not a sign
of them was visible. No enemy was in sight. The stillness of death
hung over the little valley. As I emerged from the woods the
sharpshooters in the trees beyond got a line upon me. The bul-
lets flew thick and fast. You may be sure I walked pretty fast.
Though I did not like to have the Sixteenth see me run, when I
got within ten rods of the ditch I heard Ed Allen's voice calling:
"Run, John, why don't you run?" Iran. "Why," said Ed, who
was down in the ditch almost out of sight, "it's not safe to show
your head. The rebs are only ten rods away in another ditch."
I stayed curled up in the bottom of the narrow ditch till it was
dark and then I returned to my train, but I stopped on my way to
see Willard Bartlett. They told me he had been shot soon after
I had left him; slain doubtless by one of the bullets aimed at
myself. I give this incident that yovi may .iust get a glimpse of
this terrible conflict."
Note: The Willard W. Bartlett referred to was a brother of
Hon. William P. Bartlett of this city.
Editor Daily Telegram. — We take up today the story of an-
other company from Eau Claire county. The town of Pleasant
Valley seems to deserve a considerable share of credit for this
company, which later became Company K of the Thirty-sixth
Wisconsin infantry. I furnish you a picture of Capt. Warren
Graves, who died near Petersburg, Va.
The first reference in the press to this new company for the
Thirty-sixth regiment is tlie following:
(Free Press, March 3, 1864.)
The work of recruiting goes on in a satisfactory manner, and
at the present rate men are coming forward it is confidently ex-
pected the towns of Lincoln, Bridge Creek and Brunswick will
yet raise their quota prior to the draft. Eau Claire county has
made a record which shines too brightly to be dimmed by failure
to respond to the demands of the hour, and some of her sons have
helped to make the grand old state of which we are proud to be
the children, a synonym for all that is manly, courageous and
brave. Since Friday last about one hundred and twenty men have
enlisted to fill various quotas for this and adjoining counties, and
the new company now being raised for the Thirty-sixth Regiment.
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IX THE CIVIL WAR 141
The town and county have already furnished a large amount to
avoid conscription and are ready to make further advances in the
same direction, if the men will come forward. The enthusiasm
is at fever heat in this county, and the boys are determined to
close up this rebellion before another summer.
Before the end of the mouth the ranks were filled and the com-
pany left for the front.
A week later further mention is made as follows:
(Free Press, March 24, 1864.)
One week ago last Monday, amid general enthusiastic rejoicing
and well wishes from those they left behind, the volunteers of the
new company for the Twenty-sixth Regiment, numbering one hun-
dred and twenty men, left this place for Jladison, where they are
to be mustered into service. As we glanced at the many familiar
friends leaving to share the uncertainties of war, one could not
help noticing the large number of "Old Pioneers"' in the ranks
on whose countenance age had already deeply stamped its never
failing mark. They have proven their deep patriotism by enlist-
ing side by side Avith younger companions, to assist in quelling
this unholy rebellion, which speedily must have a termination. In
the ranks were to be seen men whose "silvery locks" told that
mau.\- siiiniiicrs had passed over them, beside the beardless youth
will ISC :! II lent desire to serve his country knows no bounds ; all leav-
ing Avith many blessings and fervent wishes for their safe journey
through scenes which they may be called to pass, and for their
speedy return home when duties are discharged. Although re-
cruiting for the company onh' commenced four weeks ago, it
raised its maximum number in much less time ; and in general ap-
pearance will compare with any other company raised in this sec-
tion. A number of the volunteers are residents of Chippewa and
Buffalo counties, all stout, well built, rugged looking fellows, as
if inured to the privations, hardships and exposures of outdoor
life. The company is yet unorganized, having expressed a wish to
leave the selection of officers until they reach the place of destina-
tion, where they will be assigned to the Thirty-sixth Regiment.
The announcement of the election of captain and first lieu-
tenant is given two weeks later.
(Free Press, April 7, 1864.)
We understand that the new company recently raised here for
the Twenty-sixth Regiment has selected W. Graves for captain and
E. A. Galloway for first lieutenant. Both of these men are quali-
142 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
fied to discharge the perplexing duties of their offices in a credit-
able manner. Charles H. Witherow, late of the Twenty-fifth Regi-
ment, took six or eight new recruits with him last M'eek to
Madison.
I have found no satisfactory account of the service of the
Graves company. Thomas Randall, in his history of the Chippewa
Valley devotes a small amount of space to it, but his statements
are not altogether accurate. The following is taken from his
book : ' ' Company K, Thirty-sixth Regiment, was recruited under
the call of the President for five hundred thousand men, in Feb-
ruary and March, 1864, through the efforts of Capt. Warren
Graves and Lieut. E. A. Galloway and Joseph R. Ellis, all of
Pleasant Valley, in this county, and nearly all the men were
from the country towns in Eau Claire, Chippewa and Dunn coun-
ties. It was a brave and hardy company of men, but the regiment
was the most unfortunate of any that left this state, and of the
eighty-eight men in Captain Graves' company, only one returned
unscathed. W. W. Crandall, of LaFayette, Chippewa coimty, was
neither sick, wounded nor taken prisoner while every other man in
the company was either killed, woimded, taken prisoner or sent to
hospital. Captain Graves was wounded, sent to hospital and died.
Lieutenant Galloway was killed while leading an assault on the
enemy's works. Many were taken prisoners in the deep railroad
cut south of Petersburg, and suffered horrors a thousand times
worse than death in rebel prisons, and many painful circumstances
grew out of the long suspense and almost hopeless uncertainty as
to their fate."
The number in the company was considerably larger than
stated by Mr. Randall. The Free Press states that 120 joined,
but some of these must have failed to muster in. The official roll
shows 102 names. Captain Graves did not die of wounds and was
not wounded, but died from heat and overexertion during an en-
gagement. There is no such name as W. W. Crandall given on
the official muster roll. There was a David Crandall, from Red
Cedar, but this Crandall was wounded at Cold Harbor. Although
this company unquestionably was fearfully decimated by death,
wounds and prisoners taken, yet it is too strong a statement to
say that only one returned unscathed. Of course, there is no
means of telling how many liave temporarily been sick and in hos-
pitals, but I find over 20 names of those who were mustered out
at the time of the general mustering out of the company on the
twelfth of July, 1865, and a considerable number more who were
mustered out a few weeks earlier.
BAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 143
I give below the names of all in this company who enlisted
from Eau Claire, Chippewa and Dunn counties. As stated in the
Free Press, quite a number in this company were from Buffalo
county. I also give a summary made up from the official roster
showing the fate of members of the company.
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY.
Capt. Warren Graves.
Capt. Joseph R. Ellis.
First Lieut. Elias A. Galloway.
First Lieut. Henry D. Sehaefer.
^ "cU^ ENLISTED MEN.
J^es F. Allen, Nathaniel II. Benner, ilatthew Bittler, Mor-
timer R. Brown, Richard Burpee, Henry W. Butler, Marion J.
Cable, George W. Campbell, Ransler Cogswell, John Cunningham,
Seymour Donaldson, Wilbur I. Ellis, Elias L. Fidler, John Hill,
Walter L. Hobbs, William Hutchinson. George Kocher, John Mc-
Laughlin, Edward J. Nolan, Patrick O'Donohue. Martin Oppelt,
Lars Pederson, Edward Reed, Even Thorsen, Running Tollefsen,
Melvin Winslow.
FROM CHIPPEWA COUNTY.
Albert B. Adams, Nelson C. Bates, Demas Besette, Nathaniel
G. Calkins, Frederick S. Capron, Joseph D. Cooper, Charles Corbin,
Ambrose Corbin, Anthony P. R. Dahl, Charles Ermatiuger, Alex-
ander Gokee, Stephen S. McCann, Arthur J. McCann, Jordan J.
McCann, Columbus Miller, Lewis Pratt, John S. Rains, Adolph
Rodemacher, Albert H. Shipman, Perry Sowles, Peter Stnmm,
John Thomas, George P. Warren.
FROM DUNN COUNTY.
William Butterfield, Bernt Chi'istophersoii, William W. Chapel,
Jordan Coleman, David Crandall, Orson T. Crosby, Almon A.
Curtis, David C. Fayerweather, Johnson Graham, Marshall M.
Granger, Lars Johnson, John Johnson, Oliver Johnson, John T.
Laforge, Martin Larson, Phillip Lee, Michael W. Shafer, Ileni'y
Sippel, Nathan Skeel, Engebret Sorenson, Harold T. E. Tillerson,
Henry Wright.
Killed in action, 5; died from wounds, 10; died from disease,
7 ; taken prisoners, 23.
144 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
In addition to the above a large number were wounded and
some of them discharged on account of wounds.
Of the 23 taken prisoners, no less than 9 died in prison.
JAMES F. ALLEN.
Among the members of this company and who was also taken
prisoner, was James P. Allen, a brother of C. L. Allen, of this city,
and now a resident of Plorida. At my request C. L. Allen wrote
to liis brother in Plorida asking him if he would write something
concerning his experience. I am allowed to quote his reply, which
was as follows :
•'De Land, Plorida, July 13, 1911. — In regard to writing an
article for publication of my war experiences. Now my actual
war experience, outside of my prison experience, was very limited
and covered a period of about thirty days, while in that time
there was war enough to satisfy the most valorous spirits, for the
length of time at least, it was too short a time on which to build
a readable story unless supplemented by the imagination, and you
know I am short on that quality.
"And when it comes to my prison experience, that is anotlier
matter entirely. It is a subject I don't like to think about,
much less talk about and have been for forty-six years trying to
forget all my prison life and its attendant horrors, and now to
deliberately sit down and write about those terrible days, weeks
and months (I was in the different so-called prisons ten and a
half months) is more than I care to do, even if I thought I could
write an interesting letter, which I can't. I am very much inter-
ested in the old war time letters being printed, with Ed's and
Uncle Bill'sT^nd others. " .'j > " •"-
S. S. McCann. — Among tlie names of those from Chippewa
county we find the name of tliat old pioneer Stephen S. McCann.
It was he who with Jeremiah Thomas began the first lumbering
operations in Eau Claire, in the middle forties. At the time of
his enlistment he must have been quite an old man,
A son of Captain Graves, Wilbur Graves, is living in tliis city
and is head engineer at the paper mill. The widow of Captain
Graves, now Mrs. Cleasby, is also now in the city. In response
to a request I have received from the family the following brief
account of Captain Graves. It was also from them that I obtained
the excellent picture of the captain, which I am furnishing you
todav with the other material.
EAU CLAIKE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 145
Capt. Warren Graves, Company "K," Thirty-sixth Wisconsin
Volunteers, recruited his own company; was commissioned in
March, 1864; mustered into the service by Lieut. J. H. Purcell.
Spent two weeks in Madison, Wisconsin, drilling liis company.
From Madisou, Captain Graves was ordered to Washington and
on arriving there was ordered to join his regiment in Virginia,
which at that time was the active seat of war.
Here Captain Graves and his men took part in tlie "Battle of
the Wilderness," in which the Union loss was very severe. From
May 5 to June 15, 1864, Captain Graves took part in one battle
after another in rapid succession.
It was during this time that in a letter to his wife Captain
Graves spoke in reference to this sis weeks' steady work against
the rebels. The following is the substance of the letter :
He said he had been engaged with the enemy all night and had
just come into camp for breakfast and sleep when he and his
men were called out for dutj' again. These six weeks of con-
tinuous duty weakened him physically and during the months of
July and migust made many long marches. On the fourteenth
day of August Captain Graves went into battle after having
made a long and severe march. During the heat of the battle
Captain Graves suffered a sun-stroke and was taken off the field.
(During this battle the greater share of his company were taken
prisoners.) Captain Graves was removed to a hospital at Peters-
burg and there passed away the twenty-ninth of August, 1864.
MRS. HARRIET GRAVES CLEASBY.
September 1, 1914.
Since the series of Civil War articles was published in
the Telegram in 1911, I have been fortunate enough to find
a survivor of Captain Graves' Company K, of the Thirty-
sixth Wisconsin, and have obtained from him his story of
the company and regiment. Corporal Henry W. Butler is
still living, in the town of Washington, a hale and hearty
veteran. Although lacking but a few weeks of being eighty-
eight years of age, he appears much younger, and it is a
common occurrence for him to walk the four miles from
his farm home to the city, and if necessary, walk home
again.
CORPORAL BUTLER'S STORY.
I came to Eau Claire in the fall of 1855. My former
home was in Hartford, Dodge county, but wishing to make
a change I, with several others, started out to seek a new
D HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
location. "We first went into Iowa, and when at a point
on the river near Dubuque we met the veteran lumberman,
William Carson, then in business at Eau Galle. Mr. Carson
was on a trip purchasing horses and oxen for the pineries.
Learning that we were planning to come up this way he
said: "Boys, if you will help me take care of this stock
on the way up to Eau Galle, I will stand your expenses,
also keep you over Sunday at Eau Galle, and furnish you
provisions for your trip from there to Eau Claire." We
accepted the offer. The trip from Eau Galle to Eau Claire
was made on foot. Read and Gage's small saw mill and
boarding house were the only buildings on the east side.
There was a stage line from Madison to St. Paul running
through the place, and there was a barn on the west bank.
There was no bridge or ferry, but the stage drivers would
put their horses in this barn, then load the stage or wagons
on a raft and pole across the river. Arriving at the bank
about dark we hallooed across to Jim Read, who came over
with a raft and took us to the east side.
The land down on the bottoms near what was later Por-
ter's mills, was open to homestead entry and we made a
trip down there. Shortly before there had been a flood, and
saw logs and drift wood were scattered all over the bottoms
or found hanging up in trees. We wanted none of that.
At Jim Read's place I met a man who said he had a farm
for sale, four miles out, two hundred and twenty-five
acres, twenty acres broke, with a log house and log barn —
price seven hundred dollars. I went out to see it and
bought the place, which has since been my home.
Chippewa Falls was then the county seat, and it was to
that place that I went to have the papers made out.
I was married and had two children, my wife and chil-
being still in Dodge county. Returning there I remained
until March, when, with a yoke of oxen and sleighs, with
a prairie schooner top and a stove, we made the trip to Eau
Claire, and it was not such a very long trip either, con-
sidering the mode of travel. My oxen were young and
active, and we made the distance, about 175 miles, in seven
days, keeping along with horse teams that were making
the same trip.
The Barland, Cook, Wyman and Robbins families were
the only farmers in this vicinity. Sparta was our nearest
trading point, and it required from five to six days to take
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 147
out grain there and bring back a load of supplies. The land
was new, and produced heavy crops of wheat and other
grains, and prices were high. We got $2.00 for wheat,
$1.75 for oats and $1.00 for potatoes. Our nearest grist
mill was Duncan's, on Duncan creek, at Chippewa Falls. I
helped to haul in the mill stones for the Peter Daniel's
grist mill, which was later built on Lows creek, a few miles
below my place, and about a mile above the present Com-
ing's or "Silver Springs" farm.
Game was plentiful, and although not a hunter, I would
occasionally shoot a deer. They had a runway to the creek
near my place. Bear and wolves were also plentiful, the
wolves especially doing considerable damage to stock.
Lows creek was a good trout stream in those days.
In the spring of 1864 a company was recruited for the
Civil War, the recruits coming largely from the farmers
ia our neighborhood, and in Pleasant Valley. I enlisted
with the others. Our captain was Warren Graves, a
Methodist minister, who had lived in Pleasant Valley and
had been preaching at different points in that vicinity. He
was an excellent man, kind and considerate to the members
of his company, and generally highly esteemed.
We left Eau Claire about the fifteenth of March for
Camp Randall, and left there on the tenth of May for Wash-
ington. We remained in Washington only one night, and
on the fourteenth took boat for Belle Plains Landing. After
a half day on the boat and a day's march, we arrived at
Fredericksburg. Just before our arrival a New York regi-
ment had been sent out against some Confederate bush-
wackers who had made a raid and captured several carloads
of ham and hardtack. Being met with a brisk fire from the
enemy, the New Yorker's came running back, claiming that
the enemy were in greatly superior force. We were just
cooking our supper coffee when the order came to fall
in, and turn back the demoralized New Yorkers, also to at-
tack the enemy. We were entirely successful in both, also
recaptured the provisions. The battle of the Wilderness
was practically over. From Fredericksburg we marched
to Spottsylvania Court House, arriving there on the sev-
enteenth, where on the day following we were held in re-
serve, and did not get into action in that battle.
It was on the nineteenth, at Spottsylvania Court House,
that our Thirty-sixth Regiment was made a part of the
148 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
First Brigade, Second Division, Second Corps of the Army
of the Potomac. In regimental histories that liave been
piiblished, the battle of Spottsylvania Court House is given
as the first engagement in which our regiment Avas present,
but this is a mistake, as we had already talcen part in the
affair at Fredericksburg, as noted above.
On the twentieth our entire Second Corps under Geneial
Hancock, marched toward the North Anna. On our way we
came to a Confederate fortification. Hastily throwing up
some breastworks for ourselves, we lay on our arms until
two o'clock in the morning, when the order was given to
charge the enemy's works. Rushing over their breastworks,
we found the enemy had already departed, leaving only a
few pickets to give the appearance of occupation.
The battle of North Anna began on the twenty-third.
On the twenty-sixth Company H and Company K were or-
dered to charge a line of rebel works, which we took. Our
loss was two men killed, twelve Avouuded and one taken
prisoner. Both the men killed Avere from Company H. The
pioneer lumberman, Stephen S. McCann, Avas a member of
our company, and was Avounded in this engagement.
From North Anna Ave marched to Cold Harbor, arriving
there on the morning of the second of June, and on the
folloAviug morning the brigade charged the enemy's works.
Although starting out in the rear of the brigade, by a shift-
ing about of the troops Avhen near the rebel intrenchments,
our Thirty-sixth Regiment Avas in the lead. Just at this time
Colonel McKean, brigade commander, Avas killed, and
Colonel Haskell, of our regiment, took command. Our lines
were swept by a fierce fire from the enemy, and just as
Colonel Haskell had given an order for the men to lie down,
a bullet struck him in the head and he Avas instantly killed.
His death Avas deeply felt in our regiment and in the bri-
gade. Although only a young man, he Avas a thorough sol-
dier and a first class officer. While in the act of putting a
cartridge into my musket I Avas shot in the hand, shattering
the bone. Although left Avith a permanently crippled hand,
I was much more fortunate than my comrade, Biesecker,
who stood just back of me, as the same bullet that crippled
my hand struck him in the hip, Avounding him so severely
that he died a feAV Aveeks later. Our loss Avas heavy, much
more so than that of the enemy. We remained in the vi-
cinity of Cold Harbor until the tAvelfth, Avhen Ave advanced
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IX THE CIVIL WAR 149
toward Petersburg. The day after we left Cold Harbor
some half dozen of our company were left behind and while
hurrying along to overtake the company were captured
by a band of rebel guerillas. One of those taken prisoner
was James F. Allen, of Eau Claire, or Fred Allen, as he was
called by his friends. He was a son of James Allen, who
for many years had charge of the rafting of lumber for
Ingram & Kennedy, and their successor, the Empire Lumber
Company.
Although my crippled hand made it impossible for me to
serve in the ranks, I did not wish to be separated from my
company, so asked and obtained permission to do duty at
regimental headquarters. This I continued to do until mus-
tered out at the close of the war.
We reached the vicinity of Petersburg on the fifteenth of
June and the day following occupied the first line of the
enemy's works. On the seventeenth our regiment was held
in reserve. On the eighteenth we charged and drove the
enemy from their second and heavier works, following them
through dense Avoods to an open field on the opposite side
of which were their main defenses. It was while charging *~^\ /^c{^
through these woods that Lieutenant Galloway, of our com-
pany, was killed. He enlisted from Chippewa Falls, and
was a thoroughly good and efficient officer. In the after-
noon our regiment charged across the open ground and our
Colonel Savage, who had succeeded Colonel Haskell, was
mortally wounded as he was climbing over the enemy's
breastworks. In this charge our regiment lost nearly one-
third of its numbers in killed and wounded. As it seemed
certain death to either advance or withdraw, the survivors
of our regiment lay down on the ground and by scooping
holes in the soft ground got what protection they could
iintil darkness allowed them to leave the field. In the
skirmishing around Petersburg our entire first brigade on
the twenty-second was flanked by the enemy and nearly
one-half of its members captured. Througli the skill of our
officers the Thirty-sixth Regiment changed front and es-
caped capture, but lost several killed and wounded.
Our troops were then moved back some distance, where
we went into camp and remained several weeks.
The colonel of a Pennsylvania regiment from the min-
ing district had proposed an underground mine under the
enemy's works to blow up their fortifications and aid in
ISO HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
the capture of Petersburg. General Graut had sanctioned
the plan and by the latter part of July everything was in
readiness for the explosion. In order to divert the enemy,
Grant marched a part of the troops, including our regiment,
to another plane and made a demonstration, then quietly
brought us around in front of the fortifications to witness
the setting off of the mine. This took place on the thirtieth
of July. It was an awful sight, even to us who had seen
considerable of the horrors of war. I did not want to
look. Mangled bodies of men, flying timbers and earth rose
into the air as from a volcano. You know the result. It
was a failure. On account of delay in getting troops
across the pit, or crater, the enemy had time to rallj'.
Many of our own troops met their death in trying to cross,
and Petersburg was not taken.
The Weldon railroad, running south from Petersburg,
was of extreme importance to the enemy, and Grant was
determined on its capture. One force, including oiir regi-
ment, were sent north of the James river to threaten Rich-
mond, while another was sent south of Petersburg to cap-
ture the railroad already mentioned. "We met the enemy
on the fourteenth and had a severe engagement, our regi-
ment loss being three officers and twenty-eight men killed
and wountled. Grant's plan Avas a success and the railroad
was captured, but the enemy continued to make desperate
attempts to recapture it. For several weeks there was al-
most continuous fighting along the railroad south of Peters-
burg. Reams Station was on this road only a few miles
from Petersburg. On the twenty-fifth the enemy attacked
the Union troops at that place. The Thirty-sixth was sta-
tioned in a deep railroad cut. Although not successful in
recapturing the road, at one time they drove back the
Union lines and hemmed in our Thirty-sixth Regiment,
whose position allowed them little chance to escape. A few
did cut their way through, but a large part of the regiment
were either killed, wounded or taken prisoners. Captain
Graves, of our company, was overcome by heat and exer-
tion and died in the hospital a few days later. He was suc-
ceeded as captain by First Lieut. Joseph R. Ellis, also from
Pleasant Valley. My old neighbor, Patrick 0 'Donahue, of
Pleasant Valley, who enlisted the same day as myself, was
one of the number captured. He survived his imprison-
ment, and was mustered out with our company, but his
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 1
health was shattered, and he died a few years later. Some
of his descendants are still living in this vicinity, but they
have dropped the "0" from their names, which is now
Donahue.
General Gibbon was not satisfied with the part taken
by the Thirty-sixth Regiment at Reams Station, and with-
out stopping to examine into the matter, issued an order
depriving the regiment of carrying the national colors. A
thorough investigation was later made, with the result that
General Gibbon was ordered to personally present to the
regiment a new set of colors. This was done about the first
of November.
On the twenty-fourth of October our brigade marched
to the left, and on the twenty-seventh reached the enemy 's
fortifications at Hatcher's Run. Company A of our regi-
ment advanced and captured the rebel picket. This was
followed by a general engagement in which the enemy
forced their way through the Union lines, cutting off com-
munication between the two parts. Captain Fisk, in com-
mand of our regiment, saw the danger, faced the regiment
to the rear and ordered a bayonet charge. "We doubled up
the line of the enemy and put them to rout, capturing a
large number of prisoners. General Eagan wrote a letter
to the Governor praising the work done by the regiment
under Captain Fisk, and stated that we had captured more
prisoners than we had men on the field. Our regimental
loss was some fifteen wounded and missing. After this en-
gagement we returned to our former location, where we
remained until mid-winter. Early in February we had an-
other engagement at Hatcher's Run, then went into win-
ter quarters and remained there until the last of March.
We then moved against the enemy's works, capturing one
line after another, including prisoners and guns, and early
in April learned that Lee's army was in full retreat. One
entire second corps followed, crossing the Appomattox on
the seventh and on the ninth were present at Lee's sur-
render near Appomattox Court House.
We saw no active service after this, but what did re-
main of our regiment went to Washington and took part
in the grand review, then returned to Madison and our
homes.
In the fall of 1864 still another company was added to
the credit of Eau Claire county. The leading educational
152 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
institution in the early history of the village of Eau Claire
was the old "Wesleyan Seminary, which stood where the
high schood building now stands. Principal Shadrach A.
Hall went out as captain of this new company. Like the
"Whipple company, this one was also made up to take the
place of another company in a reorganized regiment.
I have asked J. F. Ellis, who helped Captain Hall to re-
cruit this company and who served as a private in same,
to tell vour readers its story.
J. F. ELLIS' STORY. ^ P»v-^^'
Eau Claire, Wis., August 14, 1911.— W. W. Bartlett : As I prom-
ised, I give you the following history of Company K, Fifth Wis-
consin Infantry, which was mostly made up here. My diarj',
which I kept, was burned in the great Water street fire years ago,
so my accoimt is largely a matter of memory, which accounts for
a general lack of dates. There were three Companies K in the
Fifth Wisconsin: First Company K, Evans, captain, from Meno-
monie ; Second Company K, Mott, captain, also from Monomonie,
and Third Company K, Hall, captain, designated from Eau Claire.
The last one is tlie company that I write about.
The recruiting of this company was for another regiment which
was filled up and left for the front before we reached Madison,
and so belonged to no certain regiment when we reached there.
Company K, as made up here, was recruited by Captain Hall and
myself in 1864. I turned my papers over to him in order that he
might get a captain's commission and I went into the ranks, where
I remained until mustered out. After reaching Camp Randall
we consolidated with a squad from near Oshkosh. Those com-
posing the Eau Claire squad are the following : S. A. Hall, cap-
tain. Privates — Andrew Anderson, Peter Anderson, David Bab-
cock, Charles W. Bailey, John S. Barger, Lyman Beemau, Samuel
W. Bennett, Erastus S. Bills, Charles E. Burpee, Heinrich Christ-
man, John Crapser, James W. Crouch, Hiram S. Curtis, Joseph E.
Davenport, Elias Davis, Francis W. Dighton, Philander S. Drew, J.
F. Ellis, Roderick Elwell, Charles 0. Foote, James Gilbert, Nelson
Gillet, Patsex,^A^Haekett, Russell Ilaekett, Benjamin G. Hall,
Dwight L. HazenTJohnOTHoisington, Demetrius P. Howell, Alfred
Ingalls, Robert Jones, Miles Lansdell, Joseph Listy, James B.
Louther, Joseph B. Reynolds, Nicholas Roach, Isaac A. Shane,
Peter Shores, George F. Silvernail, Adrian J. Smith, Uriah M.
CAPT. JOHN KELLET
-^ ^
IT. J. T. TINKER
V4 V ^fvyt--^' ^lUli^^^^
1 w \i.r 1 \ I
-Q^Mw«<^ ''i*^^
EAIJ CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 153
Stone, Marshall Swain, Nahum S. Taylor, Meroni Ware, Samuel
Welch, George W. Wells, Henry B. Westcott, James R. Whitney,
Joseph W. Wiggins, Corydon Wyman, James Young.
Colonel La Grange, of the First Wisconsin Cavalry, was at
Madison when we reached there and offered Captain Hall and
myself each a first lieutenancy if we would join his regiment
with our recruits, but we finally decided to join the Fifth In-
fantry and consolidated with a squad from Oshkosh in order to
make a full company. By this plan Company K was organized
and Hall was commissioned captain and commanded the com-
pany throughout its service, excepting when absent by sickness.
Our recruits were mostly from Eau Claire, Dunn and Chippewa
counties. We came together on the West Side and had a recep-
tion in the old Seminary Hall, where the high school building
now stands. The ladies got up a banquet for us at which there
Avere speeches and music, mostly war songs, and a flag presenta-
tion. The flag was made by the ladies and was presented by one
of the most beautiful, bright and popular young ladies of the
town, Miss Izzie Farwell, daughter of L. W. Farwell, a west side
merchant. I was delegated to receive the flag, which I carried
until we reached Madison, when we shipped it back to Eau Claire.
The next day, or soon thereafter, we all gathered on the East
Side Hill (University Square), where lumber Avagons waited for
us with boards across the boxes for seats in most cases, and where
friends, sweethearts and wives gathered to bid us bood-bye. We
traveled in those rigs to Sparta, where we took railway passage
for Madison. We had our OAvn improvised band. I. H. Shane,
with his fife, and a couple of drummers. Every stop we made was
enlivened, if there was anybody to look on, by getting in line
with the flag floating and the band playing martial airs. Mr.
Shane was very good with the fife and served for a while in the
regimental band, bi;t did not like the service and came back to
the company and was with it until mustered out of the service.
Shane was one of the best soldiers in the service, tall, muscular,
but not fat, active, kindly, faithful and strictly honest. On ac-
count of his height he was ahvays near the right of the line and
so at the front. His feet were large and strong, a quality that
helps in a long or forced march. At one time, when drawing
clothing, he had to have a pair of shoes. There wasn't a pair in
the whole supply that came to that post for the army large enough
for him. He marched and did every duty called for, barefoot,
good naturedly and just as faithfully as any man in the army.
Years afterward, while in the employ of the Daniel Shaw Lumber
]54 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Company as teamster, hauling supplies to the woods, he was killed
in being accidentally thrown from a load.
The company reached Madison and went into quarters at Camp
Randall the latter part of August or early in September, 1864,
and was there some time. Camp life in Camp Randall was very
demoralizing, much more so than in the field. Although guards
were stationed at all times at the entrance, yet everybody was
allowed to enter and also go out, except those dressed in uni-
forms of the common soldier. Some of those wearing officers'
uniforms were among the most drunken and worst gamblers there.
As soon as our company was organized we began company drill,
spending from one to four hours daily. After drawing our uni-
forms and guns and accoutrements we then drilled dressed in
uniforms.
The Fifth Wisconsin Infantry, all told, in officers and men,
from its first organization until it was mustered out, numbered
over 3,000 men. When we joined it, it was reorganized, the old
numbers were consolidated into Companies A, B and C, and we
went out as one of the seven new companies, carried a new flag
and a new state banner. The colonel of the regiment was with
us. The balance of the regiment was then in the Shenandoah
Valley. The seven new companies left Madison by rail to Chi-
cago, thence to Pittsburgh, to Baltimore and on to Washington,
all the way by rail. We were in barracks at Washington some
time, and one Sunday morning about twenty-five of our company
formed and under the leadership of one of our number, marched
up to the White House and saw President Lincoln. Shortly
after this visit to the President the regiment was sent across the
long bridge into Alexandria, Va., in barracks next the railroad
station and held ready for any emergency call, all dressed and
arms at hand.
One afternoon late Company K and two other companies of
the Fifth were ordered to draw five days' rations and report at
the railroad station in five minutes. We rolled up our blan-
kets, buckeled on our belts, slung on our knapsacks, canteens
and took our guns and haversacks in hand and lined up before
the commissary sergeant, took each his rations of hard tack, pork,
coffee, sugar and doubled-quicked for the station. An engine
Avith steam up coupled to a train of box cars was there. We
climbed in in a hurry and away we went. We were run out to a
siding on the old Bull Run battle-ground, fifteen miles in fifteen
minutes. When we stopped at the siding army wagons hauled
by mules and driven by niggers were coming toward the station
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 155
on the dead run, drivers yelling and lashing their teams with all
their might. Some of the darky drivers were so scared that they
had turned pale. ' We tumbled out of the cars before they had
fairly stopped and formed in line between the siding and timber,
about 80 rods away, where the teams had been gathering wood
for the use of the government at Washington. Mosby and his
men were raiding the teams. Two horsemen rode out of the
woods and looked us over and rode back out of sight. We dug
trenches and were in line of battle for several days, and did
some scouting, but there was nothing doing. Returned to
Washington.
A GRUESOME CAMP GROUND.
The seven new companies of the regiment were sent from
Washington via Harper's Ferry to Winchester, where we joined
the balance of the regiment and went into camp on the battle-
field. It was a desolate sight. Every living thing was destroyed.
Not even a weed could be seen. The ground was gouged and
pounded. A fitting place for new recruits to camp. Shallow
trenches had been dug, the dead laid in and covered with earth
rounded up a little. Here and there a shallow place had been
scooped out and a body twisted and stiffened in its contortions,
so that it could not be laid in the trenches with its fellows, was
placed in the shallow grave and covered. Rains had come and
washed off some of the covering and here an arm and there a
foot was pointing mutely toward the heavens. The stench was
sickening. One of our boys saw a shoe almost new lying on the
field. It looked to him to be about his fit. He thought he had
made a good find. He rushed to it and picked it up. He found
that it had a human foot in it, which had began to decay.
There was no other place for our camp and there we camped for
a few days. We formed in groups of fours, buttoned our pieces
of tents together, making our tent large enough for four men
to sleep in and huddle under during a storm and a shelter for
our extra clothing and provisions. Each group of four owned
a coffee pot and spider and usually cooked its coffee in common,
while each man cooked his own meat. We had fresh beef and
salt pork regularly and our rations were abundant and gen-
erally good. From Winchester we moved up the valley to Red
Cedar Creek, where we became a part of the army under Sheri-
dan, near the battle-ground where the battle of Cedar Creek was
fought. Plere we became a part of the Sixth Corps of the Army
of the Potomac, Wright commanding, and remained in that corps
156 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
until the close of the war. The Fifth "Wisconsin was not in that
battle, although it had been a member of the Sixth Corps from
the time of its organization. While at Cedar Creek I became
indisposed and was sent to the field hospital, which was located
in a beautiful place in large tents. My care was very good there,
and I was soon able to walk. The presidential election was com-
ing on and I happened to be the only one in the company who
had any experience in conducting an election, so tlie captain
wanted me to come back to the company and take charge. The
surgeon-in-chief advised against it, but did not forbid it. I took
my belongings and went back to the company the day before the
election and sat at the polls in the open air at the head of the
company camp and polled votes all day. That night when I
turned in, after making up the returns, I was about played out
again.
The morning after election, before I had a chance to return
to the hospital, the army was ordered to fall back, the hospital
well in front. I was hardly able to march without any load, so
with my gun, accoutrements and outfit, I struggled. The army
made out a half day's march and it was night when I got in. I
got some help in carrying my load by a wagon carrying supplies.
The army, as the retreat began, was so severely harrassed by
guerillas and rebel cavalry that it went into camp here and
sent out strong picket lines. We stayed here luitil after Thanks-
giving Day. The day and night before Thanksgiving snow began
to fall and on that day the ground was covered and the weather
Avas severe. The people in New England had sent down a sliij)-
load of turkeys, geese, ducks and chickens for a Tranksgiving
dinner for the Army of the Potomac. A lot of "fixings" that go
with them was sent too. The part that came to the army in the
valley reached it the night before. The advantage of holding
commissions was well shown in the distribution. Every group
of four enlisted men got one chicken. Every officer a pair of
chickens, a turkey or a goose or duck and fixings.
Sharp and deadly work was being done on the picket line.
Strong picket posts behind rail and timber barricades composed
of the best shots were shooting every enemy in range and many
of them in turn were hit and brought in. Although I was not
detailed on picket duty, I went out to see them work. Our camp
was in the timber. There was no cooking or serving meals by
companies or in groups. Each enlisted man usually received five
days' rations, consisting of hardtack, a piece of side salt pork,
coffee, C sugar, salt and pepper. Also generally fresh beef. The
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 157
cattle were driven with the army and when in camp enough were
slaughtered for one to two days' rations and distributed. We
were transferred by rail back to Washington to our old quar-
ters in the shadow of the capitol, and soon marched across the
long bridge again to Alexandria, thence by transport down the
Chesapeake Bay and up the James river to City Point. At this
place, which was then General Grant's headquarters, a train of
flat cars was ready for us, on which we took passage for the left.
This road was known as "Grant's Railroad," and extended from
City Point, behind the lines as far to the left as the army reached,
and was used to transport supplies and men back and forth.
The road Avas level and graded but little. At places where the
hostile lines were close to each other, a high bank was raised
along the track on the side towards the enemy for protection.
As we were whisked past these places the engineer pulled the
lever wide open and we went by at a clip that made it very difficult
for us to retain our footing. Each car was loaded to its capacity
with standing men, holding on to each other. The noise of the
rushing train provoked a storm of shot and shell, but all passed
over us or fell behind us. The sharp rattle of musketry and the
heavy roar and smoke and flash of artillery all along our right
as we speeded along the track showed that the fighting was on all
the time. We landed at General Meade's headquarters, some dis-
tance to the left of Petersburg, and moved out to the breastworks
occupied by the Fifth, or Warren's Corps, and relieved it. Our
pickets were detailed and sent out to the front, relieving their
pickets and Warren's Corps fell back to the rear of Meade's head-
quarters and became a part of the reserve. The Second Corps,
that we relieved, had built their winter quarters, which we
occupied.
When we relieved the Fifth Corps in the long line investing
Petersburg, the Union forces were opposed by the line of the
enemy extending as far to the left as ours reached. Each line
was protected by breastworks in which at every commanding or
high point a fort stood, mounting from one to more pieces of
artillery, and the field in front of the breastworks were gen-
erally cleared of timber. The breastworks were protected by
abattis, rows of tree tops stripped of bark and sharpened tops
lying with butts set in ground, tops pointing out. The ditches
in front of the works were deep and at this time of year, early
winter, were mostly filled with yellow, muddy water. The picket
posts were rail barricades, the more exposed with earth thrown
up against them in front. They were about sixteen feet front
158 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
with a wing at each end and from twenty-five to one hundred
yards apart; each post manned with from five to twenty men.
The picket lines were fighting all the time when we relieved War-
ren's Corps. Every man exposed on either side was shot at by
some one or several men on the other side. Casualties were
numerous. When we went in there we followed the old custom
of the Sixth Corps not to try to kill an opponent unless necessary
for the protection of our own lives. We had no personal feeling
to gratify bj' wantonly killing. So after repeatedly firing at our
picket posts, at a cap poked up in sight on a ramrod, a blouse
with a hat above poked into view and getting nothing but chaffing
in return, shooting at each other mostly ceased. Instead some-
thing like this took place: "Hello, Yank." "Hello, Johnnie."
"Got any cofl'ee to spare, Yank?" "Got any tobac, Johnnie?"
"Leave me some coffee at the foot of that tree and I'll leave
some tobac." And so the trading habit was put in force. The
men from each going to the stump or tree sometimes got together
and talked over their lots. Soon deserters began to come, some-
times one and later in squads. After a while they came so thick
that the enemy attacked us several times, drove in our picket
line, and drove us back to the breastworks, where the alarm of
the attack had called up the entire army with reserves. We had
several of these attacks during the winter, but none of them
proved to be very serious. They were made to induce us to shoot
deserters who made a run for our lines. They resulted in our
capture of some of the attacking men, and as we could not shoot
the one or half dozen men running to our lines, the desertions
became more numerous. The practice of shooting at every one in
sight by the troops, both to our left and right, continued as before
we relieved Warren's men. The desertions to our corps were
greater than those to the entire balance of the line. Desertion
by them was a serious matter. Trusted men Avere stationed all
along their line, good shots, with instruction to shoot every man
leaving their line coming toward ours without a flag of truce and
escort. Many tried it and were shot dead and the report of the
effort and death circulated among the men of the rebel army.
During the winter an eseciation for desertion in front of the
enemy while in battle took place in front of our regiment, out-
side the breastworks. Two men had been condemned to be shot.
Their graves were dug in the field in our front. The men were
brought through the lines in ambulance open wagon, sitting on their
coffins; each man's legs were tied together at the ankles and knees
and hands tied together behind their back. Each man's coffin was
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 159
placed aei-oss his grave and he was seated on the foot. His eyes
were bandaged; ten men of the provost guard, with loaded mus-
kets, faced the condemned men. The officer in charge took his
station by one of the men and instructed tlie guard that when
the word fire was given, they must fire at the man aimed at, aiming
at his breast. He gave the command: "Guard ready, aim, one,
two, three, fire." Before he gave the command "fire," he jerked
the man next to him oil" the box and the shots were at the other
fellow. He fell backward oft' his coffin with his bound legs still on
the coffin, lying on his back, face to the sky, dead, his breast
stove in. This was the only execution by court martial in the
Sixth Cori3s while I was a member of it. Major General Humph-
rey, who executed so many men in the Nineteenth Corps, was re-
puted to be" a brave commander, very rigid and austere. I had
a personal taste of his austerity and promptly put his bravery
to test, and it was wanting. I was stationed with a squad of men
at the picket post on our extreme left. The next one to the left
was the Nineteenth Corps post on the extreme right. In the
picket posts along our front we had not been required to turn out
the guard, form in line and present arms to the general officer
of the day of the army, though the rules of war required it, and
it was all a soldier's liberty was worth not to do it.
This major general commanding the Nineteenth Corps Avas
general officer of the day when I was in charge of this post, and
really before I was aware of it (the timber here was rather thick)
he rode up at a sharp gallop from my left, just in the rear of my
post with the big red sash across his breast and over his right
shoulder and a long retinue of aids and orderlies following him,
indicating his rank for the day. My post was not in sight of the
post either to the right or left, nor of any of the posts of the
enemy. Rebel pickets were shooting our way often. This com-
manding officer halted and called to the one in charge of the post.
I stepped out. He told me in no uncertain language in a loud
voice, showing auger, what was coming to me for not showing
due respect for the general officer of the day by not tui-ning out
my guard. I went up close to him and told him that in his big
red sash and bright equipment he was a good mark for a rebel
sharpshooter over in front and that I did not turn out the guard
as it Avould direct attention to him and he might get hurt. Just
then a Johnnie's gun went off and the bullet struck the tree top
overhead. He went to the rear like a rocket, leaving his retinue
far behind, not even stopping to thank me for being so con-
siderate of his safety. Several times during the winter the regi-
160 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
meut was ordered to break camp. "We fell in, usually in the
evening, marched down to the left a few miles, around and back
again, or marched to the right towards Petersburg, and after a
march of an hour or two, came back to our old camping ground
and again pitched our tents in the same places we occupied before.
The colonel told me that the army was full of spies and these
moves were to mislead the enemy. The point we occupied in the
line, with the line genei'ally to the left of Petersburg, had been
advanced and we were over a mile in front of its former location.
A fort, Davidson, just back of Meade's headquarters and ad-
joining Warren's headquarters, occupied a commanding position
and was cared for. A guard and a lieutenant from our regiment,
part of Company K and others, were detailed for this job and
stayed there until about the latter part of ]\Iarch. While we were
doing guard duty at this fort the battle of Hatcher's Run was
fought, Avay down on the left. Company K and the regiment took
part, but only as reserves to the Fifth Corps. Company K lost one
man, who dropped dead from heart failure. Warren's entire
corps passed close by the fort in moving down to the left. We
could plainly hear the guns. General Warren Avas there relieved of
his command by Sheridan, who came back to his quarters looking a
broken man. I was out in front of his quarters when he returned
without his aids and orderlies, with only one orderly. He gave
me the first tidings of the battle. From the accounts the boys
gave me later, it appeared that Company K and the regiment were
under a heavy artillery fire, but the shell and shot, though fall-
ing all about, did not hurt Company K. Shortly after the return
of the regiment from Hatcher's Run, the guard in Fort Davidson
was relieved and we went back to the old camp and took part in
drills, maneuvers and dress parades, battallion, regimental, brig-
ade and division. All winter, ever since we went into the
trenches, the battle had been carried on between the picket lines,
and the lines where they were too close together to put out
pickets. The roar of musketry and artillery day and night was
heard nearly all along the lines. The troops engaged on both
sides were always alert to take advantage of any carelessness or
weakness shown on either side. Assaults on the Sixth Corps were
more frequent than elsewhere, because our troops were not keep-
ing up a constant fusillade. These assaults were by a relatively
small force, usually less than five hundred men. Tliey came with
a rush and noise that would call out the whole corps. After the
shock and shake-up they would retreat with as great a rush as
thev came. The casualties were verv small, two or three wounded
EAU CLATRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 161
and once or twice a man killed. They never got off so cheap.
Several of these assaults were made upon the line in our front.
In one of them we captured a lieutenant and a bunch of enlisted
men. The lieutenant was very despondent at being taken alive.
I think he Avas slightly wounded, and tliat he would rather have
been killed.
A SILENT NIGHT MARCH.
On the night of April 1, 1865, after dark an army silently
marched in and occupied our breastworks and we were ordered to
strike tents and prepare to march. The orders were given in a
whisper or very low. We were told to put our cups in our haver-
sacks, move our bayonet scabbards around toward the back, so
that no metal parts would strike and rattle, to keep perfectly
still, no talking nor noise in marching. After forming in line we
moved out a little way toward the left and rear. Our guns were
loaded and bayonets fixed. We each had sixty rounds of am-
munition. We moved a little way in one direction and halted;
then moved again and halted. The night set in misty and so
dark that we could not see except by the uncertain light of
campfires and that made by burning fuses from shells passing
overhead from both sides. Just before ten o 'clock at night of the
first, I noticed by the fitful glare of the light made by the burning
fuses of the shells, that we were close to the dark walls of a
silent fort. This was Fort Fisher. We passed through a narrow
opening to the left of the fort and against its wall, in the breast-
works, just wide enough for one man, and out to the picket lines.
Moving as still as we possibly could, yet a body of seven or eight
hundred men make some noise in walking, though we moved slow
and picked each step as carefully as we could in the dark and
rain. The mist of the evening had developed into a light, driz-
zling Virginia rain, which kept falling nearly all night long. The
rebel picket line was alert and at every unusual sound fired to-
ward us and cursed and swore and abused the Yanks. We at once
laid down and kept perfectly still. We saw the vicious fiashes
of their guns, heard the bullets cut the air about us, the thud when
they hit, and all but two or three of the officers hugged the
ground. Sharp picket firing had been going on this place for days
and the breastworks on both sides had been held by a strong
force. The two armies were strongly entrenched all along the
lines for miles, but our men, while it was expected they would
attack at some point, were trying to keep the point of attack
secret. So every noise on our side was magnified by the enemy
162 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
into an assault, so when we made any noise their whole force
manned their works and began firing at us savagely as long as
there was any possibility in their minds of there being any force
there other than the picket line. They had the range and if we
were standing their fire would have got a good many of us, and
as it was we lost a number of men during the fusillade. We lay
flat on the ground in the darkness and the rain from about ten
o'clock for an hour and a half. The firing upon us gradually
ceased. Those hit made no outcry. No other noise than the thud
of the bullets when they struck the victims. Two soldiers with
a stretcher would noiselessly lay the man shot upon it and carry
him away. All those hit, whether killed or wounded, were re-
moved at once.
A mistake had been made when we moved out through the
breastworks. We passed our left in front and when we faced the
enemy the rear of the regiment was in front, so about midnight
a whispered order was passed along the line, we got up and fell
in, formed in rank, and changed front or countermarched. Al-
though we were as still as we could be, yet the little noise we
made roused the Johnnies again and they again began to shoot us.
As soon as we were right in front we laid down again. In lying
down we broke ranks and this time I laid down just in front of
Lieutenant Squires of Company G, from Black River Falls. The
rebels shot more accurately this time and we lost more men. I felt
the air cut by a bullet which passed over me and struck the lieu-
tenant; a flesh wound in the lower part of his body. He yelled,
jumped up and ran the whole length of the regiment and fell
and they put him on a stretcher and carried him to the rear.
The noise of tlie lieutenant aroused the whole rebel line opposite
and gave them our location. They fired on us a continuous rat-
tling volley of musketry and yelled and yelled. The anguishing
screams of the wounded lieutenant made them cheer, laugh, damn
us and fire at us with all their might. They hit a number of our
meu, but the otliers did not cry out. We hugged the ground closer
than before if possible. The surface sloped slightly downward
toward the enemy and we moved ahead a little to be on a lower
level and laid perfectly still while the bullets pounded the earth
and cut the air about us. About two o'clock the firing upon us
gradually slackened and finally ceased altogether. About 2:30
a. m., of April 2, we carefully and silently got to our feet and
stood ready, each man a little way from his fellow waiting. The
rain had almost ceased to fall. We were waiting for the order
or signal to charge. Our feeling was intense. Nothing could be
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 163
spcu in front. We knew nothing of the obstacles in our way. We
knew that when the big gun in Fort Fisher behind us spoke that
we must charge the unseen enemy and kill or subdue them or die
in the effort.
Just before three o'clock the Johnnies had quieted down and
ceased yelling and shooting at us. At three o'clock in the morn-
ing of April 2, the big gun in Fort Fisher was fired. We went in
on the jump. Every man yelling, many shooting, all running,
carrying our guns any way, every man paying no attention to
what was being said or done by the rest ; all charging upon the
black darkness ahead. We cleared the space from where we
waited, some hundred yards to the rebel breastworks, tore open-
ings through the abattis and were upon their breastworks as
quick as we could run there, but not quick enough to avoid a
shot from every rebel who could get his gun and get to the works.
A number of our men were killed and wounded, about fifty alto-
gether. We surprised the enemy. After they shot the lieutenant
and his j-elling with pain caused the commotion at near midnight,
we kept so still that they thought they had shot one of our pickets
and so they had all turned in excepting the guard when we made
the rush. Most of those we got when we went over the works
were dressed only in their shirts and drawers. When I went over
the works, a Johnnie laid in his shirt and drawers only. He had
dropped on his knees and fallen over on his back, his head turned
to one side, a good looking, strong, well built man, arms thrown
out, his gun on his right arm, a bloody, ragged hole in his shirt
just over the heart, dead. He was the first dead man I saw that
day. A smouldering camp fire close by may have made the sight
more impressive and the reason why I remember it so well, for I
saw a great many men killed before the day was done, but none
other made such a distinct impression upon me. The point where
our regiment struck and captured the enemy's line of works was
much lower than on both the right and left, the bottom of a small
valley. The land was clear for eighty rods or more from their
works to the timber in the rear. In our line of works both to the
right and left, at the top of this valley and about eighty rods
apart, were two forts. The bottom of the valley where we went
in happened to be the point of least resistance. We made so
much noise and our line was extended so long and we went with
such a rush that though the line swung around and struck theirs
end on, yet they must have thought the entire army was upon
them. After the short resistance we drove them into the timber
and our regiment was right after them. My strength gave out
164 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
and after we got inside their lines and most of the boys pursued
the retreating Johnnies, I, with a few others, staid there at the
works. Fires flared up all along the lines and the rain ceased
about us. Most of the light, however, was from the flash of mus-
ketry and artillery. Then it appeared that lines were waiting
ready, back at our picket lines, the outcome of our assault, and
when our regiment went in and drove the rebels at this point
then there was no occasion for concealment and fires burned
everywhere and especially to our right and left. Other members
of the regiment who did not chase tlie enemy gathered about me ;
some of Company K. They came over the breastworks and our
force rapidly increased. There was no commissioned officer with
us at first.
The flames shooting from the muskets and the two cannon
in the fort to our right, and the screams of those shot, the angry
yells of the attacking force and those defending, made the battle
there fierce and hand to hand. Our forces in front of the fort
were wavering; when I called to our men to attack the fort on
the flank and in the rear. "We sent a man over to those in front
and we attacked with a rush and yells, shooting as we charged.
Just before we reached the fort, the Johnnies ran and the force
in front went in the fort with a rush. Just then the attack on
the fort across the valley to the left, about eighty rods, began to
develop. The Johnnies were working their one gun to the limit.
The flash of musketry showed that there was a large force ot
infantry in there and that they were all fighting with frenzy.
Because of the dai'kness, I could not see the line of men attacking
the fort, but the flashes of their gims showed it to be a large body
and that it was attacking and was within gunshot of the fort.
I pointed out to those with me the fight going on at the fort across
the valley and told them that we must go across the valley and
help. We rushed down the slope, more men joining us on the
way, among whom was a captain of one of the companies of our
regiments, with his naked sword in his hand, wild and excited, not
knowing what to do. I told him to put up his sword; that he
could not do anything with that ; to pick up a gun and some car-
tridges and come along, we were going to attack that fort up there
on the left. The ground was strewn with guns and cartridge
boxes, and he at once armed himself and came along. The wall
of the fort on the flank where we attacked was ten to twelve feet
high from the bottom of the ditch to the top, the side steep and
sloping. I told the men that we would run up the wall with our
loaded giuis ready, point the muzzle down inside held at arm's
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 165
length above om- heads and fire and run down in the ditch, load
and run vip and fire again as fast as possible. We attacked in
this Avay and looked sharp for any of them who would dare to
show himself. We made noise enough for a thousand men. By
the erys of pain from inside the fort, I knew that an occasional
shot of ours was hitting. The army attacking iti front was push-
ing its force close to the foi-t, when cry for quarter came from
the fort to us. I told them to tlirow down their arms, put up
their hands and come over and surrender. They ceased firing;
part of them ran away and some of them came out and sur-
rendered to us.
We were in possession of over a mile of the enemy's works,
including two forts and three pieces of artillery and a squad of
prisoners in immediate charge of the men that were with me.
The battle had begun to rage off to our left a half mile away in
which large bodies of men were fighting. It was an attack on the
rebel line. The Fifth Wisconsin had not yet returned from the
timber into wiiich it chased the enemy. I wanted to hold our
prisoners until the regiment returned. Some of the men with me
wanted to shoot them. The prisoners were seared. I would not
stand for shooting them or tying them, but tried to get a guard
of volunteers to take them to the rear and deliver them to the
provost guards. No one would volunteer, so I decided to take
them to the rear myself.
On the afternoon of April 2, 1865, after the enemy had been
driven out of their works to the left, and forced back toward
Petersburg, and after numerous battles Avere fought, in none of
which we were called upon to take part, a rebel battery in a
grove on a high place inside the enemy's lines was shelling the
Union forces. Its fire was disastrous. The gunners were very
active and their fire accurate. The Fifth Wisconsin was ordered
to charge that battery and drive them out or capture them. From
where we were to reach the battery we had to move across an
open field of rolling or undulating surface. The regiment moved
out in columns of fours. My feet had become so lame that I could
not keep up. The regiment followed depression for protection.
Its course was zigzag, ahvays going nearer to the battery. I told
the colonel that my feet were so lame that I could not keep up
and so I would go straight toward the battery, which I did. As
soon as the battery saw that the regiment was bearing down upon
it, it directed its fire against the regiment. I went across higher
ground and nearer the battery than the regiment and clearly saw
them both. The first shell they fired went over the regiment,
366 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
struck the ground beyond and exploded. They depressed the
gun, and the second shell struck the ground near me, bounded
above the regiment also, went in the ground beyond and ex-
ploded. Both shells tore great holes in the earth. The third
shot got the range of the regiment and struck a man in the
shoulder and ranged through the file of four men, literally tearing
them to pieces. The regiment charged the battery at double
quick and it limbered up and went off at a gallop toward Peters-
burg to another high point and opened on us again just as we
reached the ground where they were. A few shells exploded
over us, but we were not touched. About four o'clock the army
was formed in line of battle at right angles to the rebel works
and as soon as formed, the left extending for half a mile inside
those works and the right far beyond them, towards the Union
works, the Fifth Wisconsin near the left, a general advance to-
wards Petersburg was begun. I took my place in the ranks,
though I was suffering excruciating pain in my feet. We moved
slowly forward until about six o'clock, when we halted for the
night, the whole line resting with arms at hand or lying on their
arms all night.
Guards were detailed for camp and picket duty and the men
of the regiment laid down utterly exhausted and slept with guns
loaded and ready by their sides. I could not sleep, so I volun-
teered as guard and was placed in charge of both camp and picket.
Towards night the commander of our brigade was detailed to
serve as a member of a court martial and our colonel being the
next in rank took command of the brigade. At six o'clock that
night he was detailed as general officer of the day for the army
and reported at headquarters, where plans for the night were com-
pleted and he was charged to execute them. By virtue of his
position as general ofScer of the day, he was, while holding that
position, in command of the army. He rode along the entire line,
followed by a long retinue of aides and orderlies, giving instruc-
tions to the several commanders, and back to headquarters. The
camp guards were posted, the pickets were also posted and each
picket post sent out a vidette. While I was trying to rest and
after dark (no lights were permitted along the line) the colonel
came down from headquarters on foot wearing the big red sash
over his right shoulder, across his breast and ends crossing on
his left side, the insignia of his rank as general officer of the day.
He asked me who was in charge of the camp. I told him I was.
He said that he was completely exhausted and could not keep
up any longer; that although it was contrary to the rules for him
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 167
to sleep while on duty, he could not keep awake any longer.
I told him to get a blanket and wrap up so that his sash could not
be seen and cover his head and I Avould call him if there was occa-
sion for it ; that I could not sleep and would watch for him. He
outlined his duties to me, gave me his password for the night,
pulled off his boots and put them under his head, rolled up in
his blanket and covered up so completely that he could not be
distinguished from any one else lying there. I jammed the
bayonet of my gun down in the ground at his head with the butt
of the gun straight up in the air as a guide and he went to sleep
and I became the substitute general officer of the day for the
Army of the Potomac, a position which a man in the ranks never
held before or since. As soon as everything Avas quiet, I went
down to a little stream which ran across our line and pulled off
my shoes and stockings and sat on the bank with my feet in the
creek for nearly two hours. This gave me great relief. I did this
two or three times that night and my feet were much better.
Near midnight a noise as of moving bodies could be heard
away out beyond the picket line. I went out to see about it, out
to the picket posts, out beyond to the videttes and from post to
post. When away out at the front I could hear noises like men
tramping, wheels like those of wagons and artillery moving. I
carefully noted the direction it was taking. I noticed that the
noise was gradually increasing in volume, not from the cause of
the noise coming nearer, but rather from those making the noise
increasing in number. I went back to the regiment, woke up the
general with some difficulty and told him that the rebels were
evacuating Petersburg; that they were running away. He lis-
tened a minute and said, "Let them go," and drew his blanket
about him and went to sleep again. So Lee and his army got
away.
The evacuation of Petersburg by Lee and his army, the Army
of Virginia, was begun at midnight on the second day of April.
He retreated up the Appomattox river. We learned soon after-
wards that Richmond was also evacuated and the whole rebel
government in full retreat. From the beginning of hostilities
the effort of the Army of the Potomac had been to captixre Kich-
mond and drive the rebel government out. Every battle in the
East fought by it had that purpose for its ultimate object. The
army under McClellan got almost there. Then Burnside got as
far as Fredericksburg. Then Hooker was stopped and forced
back at Chancellorsville. Then Grant was stopped at the Wilder-
ness. "Baldy" Smith and Butler were turned back at Peters-
168 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
burg and on the James river. In none of the many bloody bat-
tles theretofore fought, had the way been clear to Richmond,
although many of them were among the most bloody in history.
Bull Run, Antietara, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg,
the battles in the Wilderness, all failed to bring about the fall of
Richmond. They were each and all more bloody than the second
battle of Petersburg, but by none of them was the enemy forced
into a hasty retreat and the victorious army able to make a
prompt and vigorous pursuit. In no other battle in Virginia had
the defeat of the enemy been so crushing or disastrous to it that
it could not control its plan of retreat and take the necessary
steps to recover from or repair the disaster. While the enemy
became less and less powerful at each successive battle, whether
won or lost by it, yet if any one battle was the decisive battle of
the war, that battle was the second battle of Petersburg, for it
produced results that no other battle accomplished, the fall of
Richmond.
Early in the morning of April 3, the army started in pursuit
of Lee. The Fifth Wisconsin, having been in front or first regi-
ment to move the day before in the attack on Petersburg, was the
last to move today. Rations were issued to us, including about
a gill of whiskey to each man. I held my tin cup Avith the rest
for my share and all the boys knew I did not drink, some thought
that I would divide it up among them and so I got rather a larger
ration. My cup was nearly full, but instead of passing it around,
I turned it down my heels in each shoe and thereby incurred the
bitter condemnation of some of the members of the company, who
had a great liking for it. I think this was the only ration of
whiskey issued to us while we were in the service. It was well
toward noon when we began the march, in the rear. About the
middle of the afternoon we halted at a small creek to fill our
canteens and rest. While we were scattered along the creek rest-
ing and lying stretched out on the ground along side the road we
were traveling, Generals Grant and Meade suddenly rode out of
the brush along the road back of us and halted at the creek close
by me in the road for a few minutes and talked with our colonel.
Grant looked happy. The colonel congratulated him for the great
victory won yesterday. The general replied, waving his hand
along the regiment : "To you and those men belongs the credit."
In the morning of April 5 we were ordered to report to Sheri-
dan at the front at once and half rations were issued to us, that
is, half the usual amount for five days, and about eight o'clock
we were on our way. We stopped to rest five minutes every hour,
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 169
half an hour at noon, halt' an hour at midnight, half an hour at
six o'clock in the morning of the sixth of April, half an hour at
noon of that day, and about four o'clock in the afternoon we were
at the front. Company K was on the extreme right of the regi-
ment and I Avas on the extreme right of the company and the
regiment' was on the extreme right of the line. Many of the men
had fallen out. They could not stand the forced march. The
whole number in Company K then in line was twenty-six men
and it mustered more men than any other of the companies in the
line of the regiment. Some of the companies had no more than
half our number in line.
Sheridan, with his cavalry, had brought General Ewell's coi-ps
too, and it had been handling him pretty rough, and he asked
General Grant to send him the Sixth Corps in a hurry. He was
being whipped. It was the Sixth Corps that whipped the Johnnies
at Cedar Creek, in the Shenandoah Valley. It M-as the Sixth
Corps that Sheridan called for repeatedly to aid him in his fights
down on the left of Petersburg, but Grant would not let him have
it then. It was the Sixth Corps that assaulted this same Ewell's
corps at Mary's Heights at Fredericksbiirg, and the Fifth Wis-
consin led in that memorable assault and captured the heights
and drove this same army that we now faced. From the time
Sheridan with his troops, marched around the right of Lee's army
and joined Grant's, or the Ai-my of the Potomac, on the extreme
left, he kept calling for the Sixth Corps. He called for it before
the battle of Duuwiddie Court House, fought March 31, was
offered the Fifth, Warren's, but refused it. He again called for
the Sixth Corps before the aiTairs at Five Forks and Bradley
Run. He told Grant that he could break in the enemy's right if
he had the Sixth Corps. General Grant told him that the Sixth
Corps could not be taken from its position in the line, and of-
fered him the Second. Sheridan's campaign with liis cavalry and
the Sixth Corps in the Shenandoah Valley had been very success-
ful, so when his cavalry was put back near Sailor's creek, he had
again asked for the Sixth Corps, and by Grant's direction, it was
sent him. In the note Grant wrote to Sheridan, he said, "The
Sixth Corps will go in with a vim any place you may dictate."
So Sheridan sent word to Wright, commanding the corps, to
hurry, and he says that "The gallant corps came up as fast as legs
could carry them." Wheaton's men (the Fifth Wisconsin was
one of Wheaton's regiments) came up all hot and out of breath
and promptly formed for the attack, and while the whole line
promptly attacked the enemy and fought the battle of Sailor's
170 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Creek, which Sheridan called one of the severest conflicts of the
war. He said that it has never been accorded the prominence it is
entitled to, because it was overshadowed by the stirring events
of the surrender of Lee three days later. It resulted in the cap-
ture of six generals and from nine to ten thousand prisoners.
To our left, rapidly forming into line, was the first division
of the Sixth Corps. Before us was the valley of Sailor's Creek;
the creek was at the bottom of the valley, about 80 rods from us;
we were formed on the edge of the hill, which dropped down to
a freshly plowed field, which extended to the creek. On the other
side of the creek, the land was more broken and rough with
scattering timber to a Virginia rail fence, about 40 rods from the
creek in the edge of the timber. Behind the rail fence, with guns
pointing our way, was Ewell's coi"ps, extending in a long line,
both to right and left out of sight. It was 4 o'clock in the after-
noon when Company K took its place on the right of the line, the
oificers all being present. Captain Hall, Lieutenant Colonel Bull,
who commanded the regiment, were in a group at my right ; Gen-
eral Wheaton, our division commander, was in the group at my
right, discussing the plan of battle. General Wheaton stated that
the plan was, as soon as a line of battle was finally formed and
the men had got their breaths, to advance the whole line and at-
tack the enemy where it lay. After General "Wheaton outlined
his plan of attack, our colonel urged him to send in tlie Fifth
Wisconsin against that line of rebels alone. Wheaton refused,
then with tears running down his face, the colonel urged the
officers to let us go ; he said we could whip them alone. The
colonel was so earnest and begged so hard, that General Wheaton
finally, with reluctance, consented, saying to one of his aides that
they would send troops in to support them. We were required to
charge a line of neai'ly 20,000 desperate men, armed to kill, across
on open plain with no kind of a shelter and no protection. We
loaded our guns and fixed bayonets and all the commissioned
officers and surgeons took their regular places in a charge in the
rear and we moved forward in double line. We were ordered to
cross the creek, deploy in a single line, each man about two feet
from his fellow, and to lie down until the order was given to
charge and then to jump to our feet and rush the enemy's line
with all our might. The band played and filled the valley with its
music ; there was no levity among us. We marched with our gun.'-
on our shoulders toward the creek and the enemy beyond, down
across the plowed field until we were near the creek, when a few
of the enemy began to slioot at us and wounded two or three men.
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 171
The line wavered and became crooked and some of the men lagged.
Lieutenant Colonel Bull, in command, halted the regiment, came
forward to the head of the line where I stood and right dressed
the line. As the men formed in line again in the face of a fusil-
lade from the enemy, and a great cheer from the Union line, we
again moved forward and plunged into the yellow, rapidly flowing
water of Sailor's creek, which was about hip deep and a rod wide,
and hurried across. Volleys from the whole rebel line were fired
into us while we were in the creek. It got several men. "We
dropped down and hugged the earth as close as we could while
they fired into us and kept up all the time the terrible "rebel
yell." We laid just long enough to get our breath when Colonel
Bull passed the word along the line that when the order was
giveu to charge, not to try to keep in line, but every man rush to
the top of his speed and fight for his life and yell. At the com-
mand, we jumped up and rushed for the enemy, yelling and firing,
every man frenziedly fighting for his life. We ran against a ter-
rific storm of bullets, men dropping as they ran. Those of us not
hit rushed on over the crest of the slope and down at the rebels.
There could be but one of two results from our charge ; we must
drive them or they must destroy us. As we charged down that
slope at them, mad and firing and yelling, the whole rebel line in
our front and near flanks gave way and started to retreat ; they
got but a rod or two from the barricade when some of them, their
officers and men, yelled at each other: "What are you scared at,
there is only a few of them," and they jumped back to the fence
and began again to shoot at us more desperately than ever. In
our charge. Company K had swerved ofi* to the right ; the general
movement of the regiment was in that direction; the exposure
was not quite so bad, but absolutely deadly everywhere, and just
at this time I found myself among the men of Company B. Every
man about me was down and I got down. Up to this time I had
not fired a shot. I tried to shoot, snapped my guu several times,
but it hung fire. There were none left for the Johnnies to shoot
at, for most of those down were shot down, and those of us lying
down for safety, took care to keep very still. The ground all
around me was littered with guns, and as I could not fire my own
gun, I dropped it and selected a good looking one from those on
the ground, and loaded it. Firing upon us by the enemy slack-
ened. The Second Rhode Island were sent in by General Wheaton
on the double ciuick to our relief, and that diverted attention
from us. A group of Johnny officers were talking ofl: to the left
behind their line, and I tried my new found gun on them. I aimed
172 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
at a man in the group and fired ; there was a scream of pain, con-
soling words by others in the group not to mind, the shot was
not serious. A yell from the line, an angry order from an officer,
"Shoot the d n Yankee ," and a fire in my direction,
it seemed to me, of a hundred guns. I have never been able to
understand why I was not hit by that fire. I felt the bullets cut
the air about me ; I got back a piece behind a tree, for I realized
the danger I was in. In looking about me, I saw Captain Hall,
the only officer there on the field. Our colonel came up, his feel-
ings all cut up over the drubbing we got and crying like a child.
The entire regiment with their colors was captured by the John-
nies and recaptured later by the Thirty-seventh Massachusetts.
Over 80 per cent of the rank and file of the Fifth "Wisconsin that
moved down across the plowed field and attacked the enemy were
killed or wounded. The charge from the creek until we were —
done up — lasted about five minutes. Nineteen of the twenty-six in
line in Company K were hit, and it suffered less than any other
company in the regiment. Every man in Company B, among whom
I found myself, was shot. I alone escaped. Our colors were saved,
but every man in the color guard was hit. The artillery had shelled
the enemy when they repulsed us and captured the Second Rhode
Island and then the whole line charged the Johnnies and drove
them. Stragglers from the regiment kept coming in after the
battle. Some of us remained and gathered up our dead and buried
them and helped pick up the wounded. The company moved off
witli the balance of the regiment after the retreating enemy and
I stayed working with those left behind until after midnight, when
we laid down and slept till morning. This battle was not ended
and the enemy in full retreat until night set in. Sheridan, in
reference to the defense put up by the enemy to our attack, says
that they fought like tigers. The result of the battle of Sailor's
Creek was the capture of Rebel Generals Ewell, Kershaw, Barton,
Corse, Dubose and Curtis Lee, and about 9,000 to 10,000 prisoners.
Another result quite as important was cutting off Lee's retreat
south to join Johnston, and driving his army across the Appomat-
tox river toward Appomattox Court House.
The Sixth Corps had proved to the enemy by the bloody bat-
tle of Sailor's Creek that it was able and in position to prevent
the rebel army from retreating south without exhausting its entire
strength to defeat us. The victory and the capture of most of
Ewell 's corps by us had released the cavalry from its embar-
rassed position, and Sheridan again at once placed it across the
enemy's line of retreat. The cavalry moved out in the right
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IX THE CIVIL WAR 173
after the battle was over and part of the Sixth Corps was sent
out also to support it. This force was fairly across the enemy's
line of retreat and it had either to turn north, cross the Appomat-
tox river and get that stream between its army and us or fight
another pitched battle at once. Fighting was on all the time, day
and night, but the opposing forces were moving on both sides, the
enemy in retreat and our troops pursuing. The sound of the
rattling fire of musketry kept up during the night after the bat-
tle and kept moving away toward the west. The Fifth Wisconsin
moved out in the rear of the Sixth Corps very early in the morn-
ing. Stragglers, members of the regiment, both officers and men,
who were unable to keep pace with its two days' and nights' con-
tinuous forced march to take part in the battle, kept coming up
until, when the pursuit of the enemy began after the battle was
over, most of them Avere with the regiment. In helping to bury
the dead and care for the wounded I became separated from the
company and was not with it when it marched with the regiment,
and about a dozen of us started out to join the army next morn-
ing, without rations. The sound of musketry had turned from
west to north and was moving in a northerly direction, miles
away from us. We started toward the sound of firing, across the
country the shortest way, not following the line of march of the
army, keeping together as pi'otection against guerillas and bush-
Avhackers and looking for something to eat. We sighted a man-
sion surrounded by great fields and negro quarters and other
buildings. We cautiously reeounoitered and found that the place
was not guarded. We went there and asked for enough food to
last us until we overtook the ai'my, which we offered to pay for.
They told us there was not a mouthful of food on the place. The
proprietor, an old man, with his wife, a daughter and a young
woman and two or three younger children, were sitting together
on the porch and lying on the floor of the porch in their midst
was a young man, the son, bleeding from several wounds he re-
ceived the night or day before, suffering. His father and mother
shoAved the anguish they felt and the children sat quietly, tears
running down their faces. They expected if they did not pro-
vide us with food that we would burn their buildings. We put
out pickets to guard against surprise and began a search. In a
store-room filled, as they said, with empty barrels, we found a
barrel of flour at the bottom of the pile. One man found a pail
of lard in the basement. Two or three chased down a few chickens
that had been overlooked by former raiders and we had the old
negro mammy cook some frying flapjacks and chicken. Ai'til-
174 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
lery and musketry sound off to the northwest was very heavy.
We each took a portion of flour and piece of friend chicken and
moved fast toward the sound of the guns and overtook the regi-
ment at Farmville, on the Appomattox.
Tlie Johnnies had crossed the river at Farmville and fired the
bridge and made a stand there, but our men had charged and
drove them out aiid put out the fii-e. The Fifth Wisconsin took
no part in that skirmish. Up to the beginning of the war, Farm-
ville was said to be the largest primary tobacco market in the
world. There were huge warehouses there filled with all kinds
of manufactured tobacco when the troops hit the town. The
troops halted there for a while and when we struck the town,
just after our regiment had come up, the streets were literally
carpeted with pig tails, twist, plug and other styles of tobacco.
The lovers of the weed were in the seventh heaven. Davis, of
Company K, emptied all his clothes from his knapsack and filled
every inch of it with tobacco, making a load that staggered him,
but he was one of the happiest men in the army for a while.
Some of the buildings were set on fire and destroyed. The con-
tinued pounding by the cavalry of the outskirts of Lee's army
Avas crowding it en masse, and we were put in motion again. By
rapid marches were pushed across his front, or on the south side,
of his troops, in line of battle on April 9, 1865, in the edge of
timber with a wide open field between us and his army. We
stacked arms and with broken ranks were right by our guns, ready
in an instant for any movement of the enemy, which we knew
was just beyond the timber across the field in front. We all
realized that the critical time was at hand ; that the only chance
for the enemy to escape was to break our line ; that his escape
meant aid for Johnston and the defeat of Sherman. Cheers came
ringing down the line and with them word that Lee had surren-
dered. This report was premature, but for the time it set the array
wild. The report was soon contradicted, but later in the day
another report came that he had surrendered, and this proved to
be true.
After the surrender of General Lee we marched back to Burks-
ville Junction and went into camp, from whence we expected to
be transferred to Washington to take part in the grand review,
plans for which were begun. We had hardly gone into camp
when the report came that President Lincoln, his cabinet and
General Grant had been assassinated. The report had a peculiar
effect on the troops. The Sixth Corps continued under the sepa-
rate comm.and of General Sheridan from the time it was sent to
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 175
him by Grant to help him out of the hole that Ewell had him in
at Sailor's Creek, and he was now doing his best to be allowed
to go to Washington so that he could ride at the head of his
army in tlie grand review, but General Grant ordered otherwise.
The terms that Johnston had gotten from Sherman for the sur-
render of his army was not satisfactory, and Sheridan, with the
Sixth Corps and his cavalry, was ordered south. The march to
Danville was a forced march, the only incident of special note
on the march were the extraordinary beauty of Southern Virginia,
across which we passed. We had scarcely reached Danville when
Johnston surrendered on the same terms given Lee, and the effect
of our march was completed. After Johnston's surrender, the
Fifth Wisconsin did guard duty on the Southern railroad, guard-
ing Confederate government property, which was being gathered
up and shipped, generally to Washington. After the property had
been shipped we were marched to Washington by the way of
Richmond and Fredericksburg. We marched to Arlington Heights
and camped there. We were impatient to be mustered out and
go home, but we had to remain there until the accounts of the
officers and men with the government were squared. Finally an
officer came over from Washington and condemned our tents,
guns and accoutrements. After remaining in camp at Arlington
for some time, we were finally ordered home.
J. F. ELLIS.
The last company that went out from Eau Claire county
for the Civil War was recruited in February, 1865, with
Hobart M. Stocking as captain and Mark Sherman as first
lieutenant, and was mustered into service as Company G,
of the Forty-eighth Wisconsin Infantry. I give below the
names of those in this company who enlisted from Eau
Claire county or vicinity. I also furnish you a letter re-
ceived several years ago from Captain Stocking, in response
to a request from me that he tell the story of his company.
It is a very interesting and valuable addition to the Civil
War history of Eau Claire county. Although Captain
Stocking was unable to furnish a war-time picture of him-
self, I was fortunate enough to find a small picture of him
in uniform, which I am furnishing you with this article.
Following are the names of those in the company who
enlisted from Eau Claire county or vicinity.
Captain Hobart M. Stocking. First Lieutenant H. Sherman.
176 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
ENLISTED MEN.
Hans Amimdson, Warwick Ayres, Francis C. Baggs,
Lewis Bartz, August Bartz, Joseph Beau, George Betz,
Ford Britton, August Brummund, Henry S. BuUis, Charles
J. Bussey, John G. Claire, Horace F. Clark, William Clark,
Henry E. Cole, Howard W. Craft, Stewart A. Davis, Joseph
Denny, John Denny, Sylvannixs Edson, Samuel Ellison,
John G. Emerson, Nathaniel Flagg, Jr., Orange S. Frizzell,
Roland Fuller, Benjamin F. Haines, William J. Hall, Samuel
J. Hamilton, Phillip Hammer, Amasa Hathaway, Thomas C.
Higgins, Alonzo E. Ilolden, Horace Hotchkiss, Actor Hun-
ter, August B. Kaatz, Thomas F. Kenyon, Levi S. Ketchum,
Squire B. Kidder, Andrew Kopp, George Kopple, Peter
Launderville, Erick Leidiger, Sylvester M. Macomber, Fred-
erick Martin, La F'ayette Mattison, George W. Mattox,
Nicholas Mergeuer, Julius Moldenhause, Curtis Z. Nicholas,
Ever Oleson, Manum C. Olin, Asabel-Putney, Royal Russell,
Elias Salverson, James 0. Sanborn, Christian Sehwankce,
John M. Shong, James Sloat, Horace H. Smith, James J.
Simth, Marshus L. Snow, Joseph Spelile, Louis Spehle,
Hortentio E. Stone, Sylvester P. Swan, Henry Tallmudge,
John Teske, Charles Thayer, Charles F. Warren, Samuel
Wilke, John Wilkinson, Freeman Williams, Henry L. Will-
iams, Frederick Wittee, Obadiah Works, George B. Wright.
Although this company went out near the close of the
war, they suffered severe hardships and in common with the
recruits who Avent earlier, they made good and M'ere a
credit to the county.
In the preface to his letter, Captain Stocking states that
he was unable to find a picture of himself in uniform, but
an Eau Claire friend of the captain has unearthed a small
picture and I am sending it to you, also a picture of Lieu-
tenant Mark Sherman. I am sorry that I have mislaid the
later picture of Captain Stocking, which is mentioned in
his letter.
BY CAPT. H. M. STOCKING.
St. Paul, Minn., August .5. 1907.
Mr. W. W. Bartlett, Eau Claire, Wis.
Dear Sir: I neglected answering yours of the seventh ult.,
thinking I might be able to find some record which would refresh
my memory and enable me to answer your inquiry in detail, but
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 177
I have looked from "cellar to garret" and not a vestige of record
can I find, nor can I find a photograph in uniform, so I send you
today, under separate cover, a photograph taken a few months
ago. Portj^-one years is a long time to remember, especially when
one has been busy with other pursuits and interests, but I shall do
the best I can.
The regiment to which I belonged did not put down the Re-
bellion nor force the surrender of Lee and Johnston. We were
late in the field and had barely left the state when Lee sur-
rendered. I presume he got news of our muster and was afraid
we might be marching his way. It was my privilege to command
Company G, Forty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, which
I recruited at Eau Claire. We were mustered in early in the year
of 1865, either in February or March. The company was the
heaviest in weight of any which ever left the state ; rank and file,
the average weight was 153 pounds. This included my drummer
boy, who weighed 90 pounds, and myself, who weighed 93 pounds.
This distinction caused us extra labor during our first march
through Missouri in April, where we literally carried the wagon
train across the western part of the state. My company being
the largest and coming from the pineries, the colonel got the im-
pression that we could endure, and whenever the wagon-train got
stuck, which was often, he would ask me if I could take it out,
and I think it is no exaggeration to say that I wheeled my com-
pany out of line each day a half dozen times or more and literally
carried the heavy wagons and contents to good footing. There
was never a swollen stream to ford, and they were many, for it
was a wet spring, that Company G did not take the advance and
"set the example." The colonel would say, "Captain, if yovi can
take your men across there, half the regiment will follow the
example ; the water is deep and so cold that I dislike to order
men to ford, but as your men are from the pinery and can stand
hardship, if you will just take the lead you will oblige, etc."
We always took the lead. So much for the reputation of being
big and strong. In this case it was a handicap.
I think I was one of the youngest, if not the youngest, officer
who ever left the state. I was mustered as captain two months
before I was eighteen years of age. I forced my age a year in
order to muster. The regiment was organized in Milwaukee at
Camp Washburn, and early in March we were sent to Benton
Barracks, Mo., to drill. We only remained there one week and
were then ordered west to garrison posts along the Missouri and
Kansas border, where the bushwhackers were still troublesome.
178 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Our march through Missouri was uneventful, save for the mud
and water and the trifling annoyances of bushwhackers, who
were hovering about our flanks day and night. Being infantry,
we could hardly go after the mounted bushwhackers, and they
were very bold at times, burning houses and pillaging and mur-
dering frequently within sight of the command. Before we could
reach the spot to oft'er assistance they were mounted and off.
Our first stop was at Paola, Kan., where Companies G and F
were detached. Our stay was limited, however, as the night of
the second day after being detached I received orders to proceed
to Mound City, thirty-five miles south, with all possible dispatch
and take command of the post there. We made this march in
thirteen hours. At one point, "Big Sugar Bottoms," for seven con-
tinuous miles the water was from waist to shoulder deep. It was
a hard march and when I got there and reported to General Blunt
by wire, I received in reply a complimentary dispatch, in which
the general expressed surprise at the fact of our reaching our
destination so soon, saying he expected it would take two days.
I was young and inexperienced and supposed the order which
read "all possible dispatch" meant all it said, and I fulfilled the
order to the letter. We marched the distance in thirteen hours.
I don't believe we could have cut off two minutes from the time,
as it was heavy footing, and while in many places the water was
too deep to wade with ease, it was hardly deep enough to swim
with knapsack weighing from sixty to eighty pounds on one's
back. We were ordered to Mound City to relieve a company of
Kansas Jayhawkers, as the reckless Fifteen Kansas was called.
Captain Swain, a former captain of this company, who had a
few weeks before been sentenced by court martial to a term in
military prison at Jeffersonville, Mo., had made his escape and
was in hiding. A troop of regular army cavalry was scouring the
country trying to find him. The captain in command of this troop
suspected he was in hiding in the vicinity of Mound City and that
this company was shielding him, hence we were ordered there to
relieve the command.
I arrived at Mound City and went at once to headquarters and
found there in command a much bewhiskered officer, faultlessly
attired in regulation viniform, who received me with much for-
mality and addressed me as "orderly." On reading the order he
did not seem well pleased, and asked, "Where is this Captain
Stocking?" I replied, "Here." With surprise and a slight sneer
he looked me over and said, "You Captain Stocking?" I replied
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 179
in the affirmative and forgave him the sneer, as I certainly was
a rough looking kid, a beardless boy in fatigue uniform, without
a strap or bar to indicate my rank, and my clothes literally bespat-
tered with Missouri clay. One could hardly blame the man for
not wishing to turn over the command to such a youthful-looking
tramp. On recovering from his surprise he asked, "When do you
wish to take command?" I replied, "Immediately." He said,
"Surely not tonight." I said, "You have read my orders, which
say 'immediately.' You can consider yourself relieved now."
He did not take this kindly. I had a man shot on picket duty
that night, and when we were rolled out at midnight the situa-
tion had me guessing for a time. The night was dark as a pocket,
with a strong wind and heavy rain, and the location entirely new,
as I was too tired to reconnoiter much before retiring that even-
ing. I really was at a loss to know whether it was an attack from
Taylor's band of bushwhackers, which were operating in that
vicinity, or a shot from some straggling horse thief who was
trying to open the corral where the post was located. I had the
satisfaction of ordering a detachment of twenty-five men from
the Jayhawkers to roll out and scout in the dark and rain until
daylight. I also reinforced the picket with mounted men fron^
tliat command, which took the last man from their quarters and
there was some swearing done on their part. After the fullest
investigation I came to the conclusion that my man was shot
by one of these self-same Jayhawkers in a spirit of revenge or an
effort to stampede the "Doughboys." A stampede did not occur
and I never was able to fasten the crime on them. The one satis-
faction I had was in keeping their company out all night in the
storm. They were a lawless bunch, and if I could ever have
fastened this attempted murder on them they would have cer-
tainly received a sample of discipline of which they were in sore
need, and with which they were not entirely acquainted.
We garrisoned this post about four months. Our duty here
was light and rather uninteresting. Bushwhacker scares among
the natives were frequent, as they were very nervous, having been
frequently raided. We gave them the fullest protection, however,
and in return we were treated better by the citizens than we
would have probably been treated in our own state.
In August, General Taylor, seeing the "jig was up," and that
they could not divide the spoils with the troops then garrisoning
the border, capitulated to our colonel, who was in command at
Fort Scott, twenty-two miles distant. He surrendered a band of
180 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
153 mounted guerrilas, who were taken to prison at Fort Leaven-
worth. This wound up the guerrilla warfare, and there was no
further need of our services there.
We were ordered to Lawrence, Kan., to rendezvous as a regi-
ment. We expected to be mustered out, but instead were sent
west to relieve the Eighth United States "Galvanized" Rebels,
who were garrisoning posts on the western frontier. This service
was scattered from Forst Ellsworth on the east to Fort Union
on the southwest. Fort Ellsworth was on the Smoky Hill Fork,
and Fort Union was at a point about 100 miles southwest of
Pike's Peak.
Companies E and G were stationed at Fort Zarah. Our colonel
with four companies was at Fort Larned, twenty-four miles west.
The remaining four companies in command of Major Butt were,
I think, stationed at Fort Union. A little excitement was threat-
ened shortly after Captain Hutchinson of Company E took com-
mand at Fort Zarah. The troops, who were rebels taken from
Rock Island and other prisoners, officered by Union officers, and
placed in the Indian service on the frontier, were really as bitter
rebels as ever. We had 800 of them assembled at Fort Zarah
awaiting marching orders to Fort Leavenworth, where they
expected to be discharged. The order was slow in coming and
the command miitinied and refused to do duty. Captain Hutchin-
son ordered that the arms be taken from the men and they con-
fined to quarters on prisoners' rations. The men refused to give
up their arms. The situation was threatening and it required
courage to meet it, as they were 800 to our 135 ; they occupied
quarters and we occupied tents, but Captain Hiitchinson had the
nerve requisite, and he made good, quelled the mutiny and the
troops did duty until their orders came. Our service at Fort
Zarah was strenuous if not exciting. It consisted of the ordinary
garrison duty and escort duty, which in some eases was very dis-
tasteful. Colonel Dent was at the Big Bend of the Arkansas a
few miles south, with a supply camp, issuing annuities to the
Indians. Bodies of chiefs and head men of the tribes would come
to the fort, and the commander would give them a liberal body-
guard in command of a trusty officer to protect them from the
desire of revenge on the part of the soldiers, on their way to
receive the presents of the government at the hands of Colonel
Dent. The situation was further aggravated by the knowledge
that a half-breed son of this same Colonel Dent was in command
of a body of Sioux warriors, murdering and pillaging on the
Platte route, only thirty-five miles north. Stage coaches were
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IX THE CIVIL WAR 181
held up, passengers murdered, the stock stolen and coaches burned
by this blood-thirsty band. Woe be to the straggling soldier who
fell into their hands. Some of the most fiendish tortures imagin-
able were meted out to these self-same soldiers. We were lucky
in escaping them, but they got some of the Seventeenth Illinois
Cavalry and tortured them to death, sometimes in sight of Fort
Fletcher, where a detachment of this regiment was stationed.
Being mounted, the tendency of the men was to straggle and
hunt buffalo. I had a party of twenty men, who had been kept
liusy getting wood for winter for several weeks, and who were
enjoying the hunt which had been promised them, when we came
nearly running into the jaws of this blood-thirsty band. Some
hunters discovered our camp fire and warned us of the close
proximity of the ludians, and we stood not on the order of going,
but "got" for the fort as soou as we could get our stock, which
had stampeded, and run to the fort that evening. It seems an
interposition of Providence that saved us, for that very day the
men had been hunting in parties of ten within a few miles of Fort
Fletcher, and that same day the Indians captured two stage
coaches, shot the passengers one by one as they were trying to
escape, burning the coaches and running off with the stock. They
caught two soldiers of the Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry within
sight of the fort and tortured them to death in a manner too
revolting to put on paper. Little wonder the soldiers were ready
to retaliate on sight and that it was necessary to strongly guard
the parties who came for annuities. The father issuing annuities
and the son murdering and torturing in the same vicinity was an
aggravating situation.
Kit Carson, the famous scout and delightful man, later went
into camp five miles north of us on the Walnut. As guests he had
for a time the secretary of the legation of Belgium and the
assistant secretary of the legation of Prussia, whom we often
entertained at mess. Both were trying to enjoy tlie hunting of
buffaloes, but they had some sad experiences, the Belgian shoot-
ing his horse through the neck by accident and getting a bruising
fall when the horse went dowu. They soon got tired of the sport
and returned to civilization at the first opportunity. We enjoyed
their visits very much, and when they left us they gave each
officer an urgent invitation to call on them should we ever visit
their country. It was my privilege to command an escort for Kit
Carson on his final and successful effort to complete a treaty with
the five war tribes, which was accomplished after days of, to me,
aggravating parleying at a point called Plum Buttes. Each day's
182 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
council would be broken up by the defiant chief of the Arapahoes,
who had a white woman prisoner for his squaw and he refused to
give her up, which was one of the conditions of completing the
treaty. About 4 p. m. each day he would mount his horse and
ride off, and all the chiefs would follow him, breaking up the
council. The soldiers were very impatient, and the last day I
suggested to Carson that we murder the whole baud. He replied,
"No, no, for God's sake put that out of your head. They will
come to time in the end," and they did. Of this patient, per-
sistent, quiet man I can only say he was one of the most delight-
ful companions and straightforward, determined men I ever met.
He believed in the Indians, or pretended to, and they swore by
him. He deserved their confidence. This treaty was signed and
peace reigned for a time. How long I do not remember, but for
the few days we remained on the frontier it was safe to travel
without fear of losing one's scalp.
Early in December we were relieved by regular troops and
started on our homeward march. Here let me say, that I believe
that for exposure and fatigue, no troops ever made such a march
in America. The night before we left Fort Zarah a foot of snow
fell. Our first two days' march was uneventful, the weather,
although cold, was not severe. The morning of the third day a
blizzard struck us, which continued almost uninterruptedly for
four days. The first day the mules would not face it and we had
to go in camp at the end of a five-mile march. Having only drawn
enough rations to make the march, which, if my memory serves
me right, was twenty-four days, we could not tarry or we would
be out of supplies in that vast wilderness of snow and upon a
bleak plain. The second day we started with a shovel corps of
fiftj' men, who were relieved by a fresh detail of men each hour,
and we literally shoveled our roads for eighty miles. The wagon-
master would take his riding mule by the tail and start him out
to find the trail. When he floiindered the men would shovel him
out, and they were shoveling him out most of the time. The snow
was from three to thirty feet deep. Every ravine or depression
in the plains was filled. Some of these ravines were twenty to
thirty feet and often of greater depth. At night we would cut
out a hole in the snow for our tents and pitch them. Companies
E and G had only dog tents, properly called shelter tents, and
these would often be covered up in the morning if the wind v/as
high, making it snug and comfortable during the night, but "Oh,
what a difference in the morning," when the cook's detail would
roll out and make a fire of wet elm, over which the cook would
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 183
brew hot coffee. The men would take a cup of coffee in one hand
and hardtack in the other and make a large ring about the fire
and take a dog trot and keep it up until coffee and hardtack were
consumed, then off for the day's tramp. Only one day did we
lose the trail entirely. That night we camped about three miles
south of a rocky prominence on a high sugar-loaf hill, which, if
I remember right, was called Chimney Rock. When I went to the
wagon train to get a shovel to sliovel the snow away so I could
pitch my tent I met the wagonmaster and said to him: "I
thought we passed north of that rock when we marched out." He
replied: "You did, the road is at the north, but I tell you, cap-
tain, no landmark ever looked so good to me as that very rock
when I sighted it this p. m. I was lost all day." I replied that I
did not know it. lie said, "Of course you didn't know it. It was
all I could do to fight the panic within me. Should I have let the
situation be known there woidd have been 500 men in the
damndest panic you ever heard of, and hell would have been pop-
ping. I am just truly thankful to be here tonight."
Strange as it appears to me up to this day we lost no man on
this march. Our drum-major, a man well along in years, and
John Wilkinson, a very large man, standing 6 feet 3 inches high
and weighing 325 pounds, both gave out, and we put them in the
wagon and covered them with blankets and left them at Fort
Riley when we reached that point. I supposed that both lost their
feet, but I met Wilkinson in West Superior twenty years later
with both feet attached. He said the drum-major lost his feet,
but he saved his, although they were not so good as he would wish.
Our colonel froze his face so badly that both eyes were tempor-
arily blind and we left him at Junction City, the border town.
He arrived in time to join the regiment before we left Fort
Leavenworth and came back home with us. He was a young,
sturdy man, who was duck-legged and could not wade through
the snow, so he stuck to the saddle, and this came near costing
him his life. It is said that a man can stand more than a mule.
This march proved this assertion to be true. When we left Fort
Zarah we had thirty-six six-mule teams, as fine animals as I ever
saw and in prime condition. When we reached Fort Leavenworth
all but four teams were condemned as no longer fit for service
and sold under the hammer at auction. The only thing that saved
our command was the fact that we had so much transportation.
This wagon train was returning empty from a trip to the West
and was assigned to our men. We had been on the plains for
months and nearly every man had one or more buffalo skins and
184 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
wolf pelts, and here were transportation facilities enough so he
could bring them home, as %vell as all his clothing and heavy
blankets. Under ordinary conditions a man would not have been
allowed transportation for half the luggage each soldier had, and
these same skins saved the lives of the men. Halters and ropes
were stretched along the Avagons attached to the box, top bows,
or any place where a hitch could be secured. A guard was sta-
tioned at each wagon to keep men from riding, as they would
have frozen to death if they had ridden, but the halters and rope
made a hold for the men and they could catch on and drag them-
selves through the snow, which was from knee to crotch deep,
thus making the march and keeping warm at the same time, other-
wise not half the command would have survived the first eighty
miles of blizzard and deep snow.
When we arrived at Fort Leavenworth after twenty-four days.'
march we were a little battered, but still in the ring. We were
mustered out as soon as we could get our muster-out rolls made
and turned over our camp and garrison equippings. We were dis-
charged at Madison, where we received a grand reception on our
arrival on the ninth day of January, 1866, if my memory serves
me right.
We did not put down the rebellion. We were never in a
pitched battle. If we had been I would tell you of it, even if we
ran, for " 'tis better to have fought and ran, than never to have
fought at all." Lee may have surrendered sooner having known
that the doughty Forty-eighth Wisconsin was under arms. I am
not informed as to that. We did not smell much powder, except
as we shot down the unsuspecting buffalo and wolves, but we had
a lot of hard marching and we were "Johnny on the spot" when
orders came for any kind of service. Of course there is no doubt
but that General Taylor hustled to make the best terms he could
when the Forty-eighth Wisconsin relieved the Kansas Jayhawkers.
This may seem a joke, but there is room for truth. The Jay-
hawkers Avere sometimes accused of whacking up with Taylor
and his men in the divvy of stolen hoi'ses and other plunder. The
Forty-eighth was there to protect lives and property, and I have
never heard them accused of appropriating either people's stock
or conniving at the acts of the guerrillas, or sharing the spoils
with them. So General Taylor may have thought his occupation
gone once we entered his domains.
As soon as the Indians found that this ' ' unwhipped ' ' regiment
was assigned to gari-ison duty on the frontier there was "noth-
ing to it. ' ' The five war tribes simply capitulated as soon as they
EAU CLAIKE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 185
could be induced to give up their white women prisoners and he
sure they would be well fed and cared for during that cold winter.
Colonel Dent was liberal with the annuities. Both of these con-
ditions may have had something to do with it, but I think that
the fact that "that "Wisconsin regiment" was out there praying
for a chance to shoot something put the final touch to the con-
ditions and induced them to lay down their arms and take no
chances until the grass was high enough for feed, and the roving
deer and antelope returned to their usual haunts.
What I have given you is history as I recall it, but not much
of it is war history, and I doubt if any of it will be of service
to you. To be honest, the nearest we ever came to a fight was to
bury the dead at the Battle of Mine Creek. Our service with
bushwhackers and Indians was inglorious and unsatisfactory.
We, however, endured hardships and experienced enough fatigue
to make us rejoice at the opportunity of returning to — if not more
peaceful haunts — at least more congenial.
Respectfully yours,
H. M. STOCKING.
EXPERIENCE OF JAMES F. ALLEN. Cc-../5>..^--^'i-^ (Ifu^^
Narrative of the Prison Experience of James Fred Allen, G^>^j
of Eau Claire, Wis., Private in Company K. 16th Regiment
of Wisconsin Volunteers, Who Enlisted When Only Seven-
teen Years Old and Whose War Experience Was Prac-
tically All in Rebel Prisons.
After the battle of Cold Harbor, June :J, 18(i4, we remained in-
active until the 12th. That night after we had turaed in, we
received orders to pack up, fall in and move out quietly and with
as little noise as possible. We of the rank and file didn't under-
stand the meaning of this, to us, unnecessary caution, but learned
later that Wade Hampton's Legion (cavalry) was suspected of
being in our vicinity and would hang on our flanks ready to at-
tack any of our troops they felt able to get away with, hence the
caution which some of us later found to our sorrow was well
timed. We moved out, as I remember, about 9 P. M. and after
marching about two hours, the night being very dark, we were
overtaken by a courier with the information that we, with a
portion of the command had somewhere after starting taken the
wrong road in the dark and must about face and get back in
quick time, but with the main command now far in the front.
We made a supreme effort to catch the command, but .just before
186 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
reaching it we got whispered orders to stop for a breathing spell
and a few minutes rest. This was our undoing, for in a moment
we were stretched along the side of the road in the woods out
of the mud and were sound asleep, as indeed, many had been
for some time while marching in the ranks, and when a little later
the order to fall in again was passed, still in whispers, some of us
for obvious reasons, failed to respond, and it being still very dark
were not missed by oiir comrades or by the orderly whose busi-
ness it was to get us into line, until too late. It was broad day
light when we awoke, and when we realized the situation our
feelings can better be imagined than described.
But we pulled ourselves together and made another effort to
catch the command ; this however, soon proved futile for we
hadn't gone a mile when we were halted by a command to sur-
render by a squad of cavalry who stepped into the road ahead
of us, and as they outnumbered us we at once saw the point of
their argument and like good soldiers, obeyed orders, but before
they could get to and disarm us we had the satisfaction of spoil-
ing the efficiency as Avell as the beauty of our new Springfield
rifles by bringing their stocks suddenly in contact with near-by
trees. This precaution in the interest of our cause, was however,
strongly resented by our captors and had it not been for some
of the older and cooler heads among them it would certainly have
gone hard with us, for at that period of the war the most impor-
tant capture a reb could make next to a live Yankee, was a new
Spi-ingfield musket.
"We were, as near as I can remember, about seven miles from
Richmond to which city we started as soon as they stripped us of
everything of value to them and arriving there were immediately
put in Libby prison on the third floor, a hungry and tired lot
of boys. "We remained here about two weeks, being treated fairly
well and little dreaming of the horrors in store for us when the
gates of Andersonville closed behind us later.
About the first of July we were loaded in cattle ears recently
used for transportation of cattle, and after a trip of four days'
jolting and bumping over the worst roads imaginable, and filled
with hardships and suft'ering, Ave reached Andersonville Prison,
that horrible hell-hole of the Confederacy in the interior of
Georgia, where in a stockade of thirty acres were confined as
many as 33,000 Union prisoners at one time, packed in so closely
that the space equally divided would allow only four square feet
to a man. Here during the last year of the war were confined
about 50,000 of whom over 13,000 died from starvation, exposure,
J^A^A ^ yw^Avv \/^^^. (aJ-Uva. !L,,^^Jj^- <P^^^
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 187
scurvy and loathsome diseases. No pen can tell what we suffered
in the months we were held there till the close of the war.
Around the inside of the stockade, twenty feet from its base,
ran the dead line and should a person step over the line acci-
dentally or purposely he was shot by the sentinels on the stock-
ade. Many driven half insane by the horrors of their daily exist-
ence deliberately walked to death by crossing this dead line.
A swamp was the center of the prison and through it flowed
a small creek, which furnished all the water that was to be had
for the daily use of the prisoners and in addition it was the sewer
for thousands of men crowded together, who had to drink of its
pestilential waters.
Most of us were without shelter from the winter storms or
summer heat and the rags which we wore did not cover our
nakedness. We yearned for the refuse food in the swill pails of
our northern homes.
No attempt was made by Wirz, the inhuman rebel monster in
charge of the prison, to lighten our sufferings and make us com-
fortable, but his every eft'ort was to prolong and intensify our
sufferings. Refuse bacon unfit for any human being, and un-
bolted eornmeal was our diet. It could not and was not meant to
support life. Men were dying like flies each day, feet and ankles
rotting off, limbs swollen to thrice their normal size. Unable to
protect themselves, their food was stolen from them by their
crazed comrades in their desperate fight for life. Although green
corn and vegetables could easily have been furuislied them, they
were withheld so that scurvy could do its work.
No clothing was given to us to wear or soap for washing, nor
medical assistance in sickness. Chills and fever were rife and
diarrhoea ever prevalent, while the stench was unspeakable and
always with us.
In October, just before Sherman started on his march to the
sea, and doubtless in anticipation of his attempt to liberate us,
we were hurriedly put in cattle cars and run to Savannah, Ga.,
and put into a temporary stockade, pending the completion of
the stockade at Millen, Ga., and after a short stay in Savannah
were taken to the new one at Millen. This was a vast improve-
ment over Andersonville in many ways, not the least of which
was our escape from the monster Wirz, which, however, was only
temporary, for those of us who survived until fall were destined
to have more experience with that fiend in human shape. Our
stay in Millen prison was about two months, and in November,
on the day of the general elections in the north, and at the insti-
3,88 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
gation of the rebel authorities themselves, we held a mock elec-
tion, the result of which was very disappointing to the rebels as
we elected Lincoln over McClellan two to one, which showed
them„ plainly the war would be prosecuted to the end without
compromise and that the loyal people of the country were in the
majority. Some time in the first part of December M'hen Sherman
was nearing Millen, we were again loaded on box cars and sent
back to Savannah and from there without changing cars on to
Blackshear, a station on the coast railroad near Thomasville. We
were placed in the woods with a heavy guard around us and kept
here a few days and then on to Thomasville, Ga., where we stayed
two weeks when, Sherman liaving gone to Savannah, we started
on a four days' march across the country to Albany, Ga., sixty
miles, taking the cars again at this point and on Christmas Day
1864, were back in Andersonville again. At this time our num-
bers had been greatly reduced by death, exchange, and transfer
to other prisons, so we did not number more than three or four
hundred. We suffered greatly from, the cold and many died from
cold and exposure who otherwise might have pulled through. But
all things have an end and so were our days in this hell on earth.
And when on the 28th of April, 1865, we were ordered to the depot
to take cars for our line's at Jacksonville, Fla., our joy knew no
bounds. It came so sudden and was such a shock, that to say,
some of us acted like lunatics in our great joy over the prospects
of deliverance, would be putting it very mildly. But we got off
finally and after a ride of two or three days in our old friends —
the cattle cars, without much to vary the monotony we reached
Baldwin, Fla., twenty miles from Jacksonville ; the track being
torn up between two places, we were escorted for a short distance
by a rebel guard and then withoiit further ceremony were turned
loose and it was then every man for himself and a great strife to
be the first to reach God's country, our friends, and the Stars and
Stripes, which I had not seen for about eleven months.
We stayed in Jacksonville long enough to gain sti-ength to
stand the trip north, which was about two weeks, for we were
taken in hand at once by the doctors, who put us on a strict diet
to keep us from killing ourselves by overeating. First of all we
were led to the St. John's river, and after casting our rags in a
common pile and being furnished with soap and towels, were
ordered into the water for a general cleaning after which each
was given a new uniform, a welcome exchange for the rags we
had been wearing so long, and which we proudly donned.
We boarded a river steamer about the first of May for Fernan-
^^
I'Al'T. A. M. SIIEKMAN
o
HENRY W. BUTLER
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 189
dina, where we transferred to an ocean transport for parole camp
at Annapolis, Md. I will not attempt to describe our passage
north, further than to say that of the six hundred on board
probably seventy-five per cent were very seasick, which in many
cases lasted during the trip, and Avhen it is considered that we
were all confined below decks, it will not require a very vivid
imagination to realize the condition we were in when reaching
our destination, and that our joy on reaching port was only second
to that when being released from rebeldom.
We stayed a few days in Annapolis, received our commuta-
tion of ration money, which in my case amounted to $72.00 at
twenty-five cents per day, and were forwarded to the distribution
camp for western men at St. Louis and a few days later we Wis-
consin men were sent to Madison and home.
Edward Nolan and John Cunningham from my company were
captured at the same time. Of the others taken at the same time
from the regiment were two from Company I, Bogley and Par-
sons. They both died in Audersonville. I found Parsons dead
at my side one morning.
I did not attempt to escape by tunnelling under the stockade,
as many did, for none of the three locations I had was near
enough the dead line to warrant it. Many got out, but few suc-
ceeded in getting away and when caught were subjected to hor-
rible and inhuman torture by buck and gagging, being strung
up by their thumbs and starving. I did escape for a time how-
ever, with two others, when lying in the woods at Albany, Ga.,
waiting for a train to take us back to Audersonville. Although
a line of guards was around us we succeeded in eluding them one
dark night and slipped through. We made a clean getaway
for the time being, but when it became light enough to see we
found we had traveled in a circle and were back to the point of
starting. We started again and reached the home of a planter.
We were nearly famished and decided to attempt to get food
from the planter's negro slaves, who as a rule were friendly to
the Yankees and would do all they could to help escaping prison-
ers. We cautiously approached the cabin furthest from the plan-
tation house, but unfortunately someone saw us and reported to
the planter who, with revolvers in his belt and a pack of vicious
dogs at his heels, came down to interview us. Under ordinary
cireiimstances we would have thrown up our hands and given up
in despair after taking in the situation, but we had been up
against similar situations many times and were by this time sea-
soned veterans and decided to make the best of it, and to this
190 HISTORY OF EAU OLAIRE COUNTY
end our spokesman, a comrade by the name of McKinley from a
Pennsylvania regiment who was one of us, in a few well chosen
words (he was good at that) told him that we were escaped
prisoners, were nearly famished and that we had come out for
something to eat. Mr. Mercer, for that was his name, looked us
over and, probably under the influence of Mack's eloquence
changed his aggressive look, dropped his hand from his revolver
and in a friendly voice told us to come up to his house. Arriving
there he ordered his cook to get us something to eat, others to
make a big fire in the yard and still others to bring out chairs
for us to sit on, and then he himself brought a large black bottle
with glasses, and, being his guests and knowing the custom of
the country and the sensitiveness of the people in such matters,
we laid aside for the moment any conscientious scruples we might
have had and helped ourselves. This put is in fine condition to
do justice to the breakfast which soon followed, and which we
ate still in the yard. To say that we enjoyed it but feebly ex-
presses the intense satisfaction of being filled up again after our
long fast on half rations. After finishing breakfast Mr. Mercer
again sent his servants for meal, sweet potatoes, etc., for us to
take with us. Then he made us a little speech in which he said
he was not a soldier, being exempt on account of having a certain
number of slaves, but it was his duty to take us back to camp ;
that lie deplored the war and wushed it was over; that he sym-
pathized with us in our troubles and hoped we would finally reach
home safely, etc., and now if we were ready he would take us to
the provost marshal in Albany, which he did, and that night we
Avere placed in the guard house and next morning turned in with
the rest of the prisoners. This happened many years ago, but it
seems but yesterday, so vividly was it impressed on my mind.
It was the only bright spot in my prison experience and I shall
never forget it.
I have always thought Mr. Mercer was a union man at heart
and whether or not, he certainly was a man in the truest sense
and stands out in violent contrast to all others with whom we
came in contact while in the confederacy. I heard of him after
we moved to Florida through a widow who came here from
Albany. She always spoke very highly of him and that he was
one of the solid men of that section.
On our way home from Andersonville the Government gave
us stationery for writing home and instructed us to write on the
envelope "Paroled Prisoner's Letter." This would allow the let-
ter to go through the mails without postage being paid in ad-
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 191
vance, but it would be collected at its destination. "When my
letter written from St. Louis reached home the postmaster J. W.
Farwell, called Myron Briggs' attejition to it and said that it must
be from me. Mr. Briggs promptly paid the postage and took the
letter to mother.
Previous to this an exchanged prisoner had reported that he
knew me in Andersonville, had divided his last morsel with me
and saw me die. A funeral sermon was preached in Eau Claire
by reason of that report to which all gave credence.
I reached home a few days after the Free Press announced
(May 25, 1865) that I was still alive.
SOME NEWSPAPER NOTES DURING THE CLOSING
MONTHS OF THE WAR.
The Free Press of June 30, 1864, records the return of
Compauj' C, Capt. Victor "Wolf, and the survivors of the
Eagle company. There were but fifty-six left, and of this
number thirty re-enlisted for the remainder of the war.
Nearly every issue records the death of one or more sol-
diers who went out from this county.
In the summer of 1864 an attempt was made to recruit
Chippewa Indians for service in the war, but the plan
proved a failure.
In the Free Press of September 8, 1864, is found a very
complimentary mention of Lieut.-Col. Charles "Whipple.
This Charles "Whipple was a brother of Capt. D. C. "Whipple
and was an early Chippewa river steamboat man. He
received a commission as lieutenant-colonel and served for
a time in the navy, later being transferred to the Nine-
teenth "Wisconsin Infantry.
In the Free Press of September 22, 1864, is recorded the
return of Capt. (later Major) John R. "Wheeler, of the
Sixteenth Wisconsin, severely wounded in both legs.
In the Free Press of November 10, 1864, complimentary
mention is made of Capt. A. M. Sherman, of the Second
Cavalry, who had just resigned his commission and
returned to Eau Claire.
In the Free Press of February 16 is recorded the promo-
tion of Capt. John R. Wheeler of the Sixteenth Wisconsin
to major of the regiment, and a very complimentary men-
tion of the man.
The Free Press of March 9, 1865, records the departure
I
192 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY '
of Lieut, (later Captain) H. M. Stocking with his company
for Milwaukee to join the Forty-eighth Wisconsin Infantry.
The Free Press of April 20, 1865, appears with heavy
black lines, and the announcement of the assassination of
President Lincoln.
A CLOSING WORD.
In the preparation of this Civil War chapter my only
aim has been to give a true and unbiased presentation of
the part taken by Eau Claire county in the Civil War. The
extracts from Civil War letters, newspapers and records
have been given as found, and these records and the pic-
tures furnished will be allowed to speak for themselves. It
is for the reader to judge whether or not our county meas-
ured up to its full duty during those trying years from-
sixty-one to sixty-five.
WILLIAM W. BARTLETT.
CHAPTER XII.
EAGLE POST, G. A. R.
By
L. A. BRACE.
The Grand Army of the Republic was organized at Decatur,
Illinois, April 6, 1866, by Dr. B. F. Stephenson, of Springfield,
Illinois, who had served as surgeon of the Fourteenth Illinois
Infantry. At the close of the war he resumed his practice in
Springfield, where, in February, 1866, he first suggested the
organization of the G. A. R., and made a draft of a ritual.
Through his efforts, assisted by comrades, the first post, known
as No. 1, was organized at Decatur, Illinois, April 6, 1866, Dr.
Stephenson being in general charge of the organization of posts
in other states. On October 31, 1866, he issued a call for a
national convention of the G. A. R., which was held in Indian-
apolis, November 20, 1866. Gen. John M. Palmer, the first depart-
ment commander, presided.
An appropriate monument has been erected iu the city of
Washington, District of Columbia, in honor of and love for the
comrade who so faithfully labored for the success of the G. A. R.
and through the efforts of the comrades of the G. A. R. Dr. Steph-
enson will long be remembered, not only by members of the
organization, but by an appreciative people who may chance
to see it.
On December 31, 1913, the members of the G. A. R. numbered
180,203, of which Wisconsin furnished 5,703. The losses by death
for the year 11,338, of which Eagle Post lost eight. The whole
number of posts in the states and territories, 5,663.
Eagle Post, No. 52, Department of Wisconsin, G. A. R.
Eagle Post takes its name from "Old Abe," the war
eagle, which was carried through the war by Company C of the
Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, Victor Wolf, captain, after the death
of Capt. J. E. Perkins, its first commander. Eagle Post was organ-
ized on the eighth day of November, A. D. 1882, with thirteen
charter members. E. jM. Bartlett, who served as lieutenant
colonel of the Thirteenth Wisconsin, was elected its first eom-
193
194 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
mander, with Bentley S. Phillips its first adjutant. Since organi-
zation there has been added to the post by muster and transfer
427 members. Lost by death, transfer and other causes, 337, still
leaving a membership of 104.
Eagle Post has always held a position in the front rank of
the state department, has had the honor of giving two depart-
ment commanders, Michael GrifSn and Charles H. Henry, two
adjutant generals in the persons of George A. Barry and R. B.
Rathbun, and senior and junior vice commander in the person
of L. A. Brace. Eagle Post has been highly favored and owes
much to the Women's Relief Corps, No. 20, for its successful
growth and present prosperous condition, which is evidenced by
the regular attendance of so many comrades, several of whom are
past the eightieth milestone.
The following named comrades served as commanders for the
years indicated in the roster:
1882-1883, E. M. Bartlett ; 1884, M. Griffin ; 1885, L. A. Brace ;
1886, M. Griffin; 1887, B. J. Farr; 1888, L. P. Hotehkiss; 1889,
George A. Bari-y; 1890, R. H. Chute; 1891, M. Griffin; 1892,
George M. Withers; 1893, A. W. Hunger; 1894, William Palmer;
1895, W. H. Nichols; 1896, S. G. Church; 1897, E. M. Bartlett;
1898, J. F. McGrath; 1899, Henry Spauldiug; 1900, C. N. Bost-
wick; 1901, Austin Chrisler; 1902, C. H. Buffington; 1903, C. H.
Henry; 1904, E. W. Allen; 1906, Jerre Murphy; 1906, J. M.
Jewett ; 1907, A.' J. Cheesbro ; 1908, J. M. Botsf ord ; 1909, L. A.
Brace; 1910, J^^Eljis; 1911, R. B. Rathbun; 1912, E. G. Jordon.
The following members were enrolled for the year 1912, with
their company and regiment : William Allen, Company A, Seven-
teenth Wisconsin Infantry; Benjamin W. Brown, Company H,
Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Infantry; G. L. Beardsley, Company F,
Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry; John C. Barland, Company H,
Sixteenth Wisconsin Infantry; George W. Britton, Company G,
Seventh Wisconsin Infantry; Robert K. Boyd, Company H,
Eleventh Minnesota Infantry ; L. A. Brace, Company K, Twenty-
eighth New York Infantry ; W. II. Biesecker, Company A, Twen-
tieth Wisconsin Infantry ; J. M. Botsford, Company E, Thirteenth
Wisconsin Infantry ; Charles E. Bruce, Company A, Fourteenth
Maine Infantry ; G. N. Bostwick, Company H, Sixtieth New York
Infantry; Thomas 0. Bowman, Company E, Eighteenth Illinois
Infantry; R. N. Brewer, Company B, One Hundred and Forty-
seventh Illinois Infantry ; George Bagley, Company B, Sixteenth
Maine Infantry; Willis Britton, Company I, Fiftieth Wisconsin
Infantry; Frederick Batzold, Company G, Twenty-seventh Wis-
EAGLE POST, G. A. R. 195
eonsin Infantry ; Henry "W. Butler, Company K, Thirty-sixth "Wis-
consin Infantry ; C. H. Buffington, Company — , One Hundred and
Forty-seventh Illinois Infantry ; William F. Bailey, Company K,
Ninety-fifth New York Infantry; Charles E. Brown, Company I,
Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantrj^; George F. Banister, Company L,
Second Wisconsin Cavalry; George W. Churchill, Company A,
Ninety-second Illinois Infantry; Jerome A. Cheesbro, Company
I, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth New York Infantry; John
Craig, Tenth Wisconsin Light Artillery ; Euos S. Culver, Jr., Com-
pany G, Thirty-fifth Pennsylvania Infantry; R. H. Chute, Com-
pany F, Fifty-ninth Massachusetts Infantry; Benjamin N. Castle,
Company G, First Wisconsin Cavalry; J. G. Cleghorn, Company
H, Sixteenth Wisconsin Infantry; L. P. Crandall, Company — ,
First New York Dragons; Austin Crisler, Company G, Forty-
second Wisconsin Infantry ; J. F. Cranston, Twelfth Illinois Infan-
try ; John Cranie, Company K, Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry ; J. B.
Demarest, Company C, Eiglith Wisconsin Infantry ; A. N. Dickey,
Company K, Third Iowa, and Company B, Forty-fourth Wiscon-
sin Infantry; J. F. Ellis, Company K, Fifth Wisconsin Infantry;
Edwin J. FariV~Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry; David H. Fort,
Company G, Fifth' New York Artillery ; Frank Ferris, Company
I, Thirty-seventh Wisconsin Infantry; Ira Flagler, Company G,
Fortieth Wisconsin Infantry ; J. H. Goodwin, Company K, Second
Iowa Cavalry ; A. S. Garnet, Company D, Eighty-fifth New York
Infantry; John S. Green, Company E, Ninety-third New York
Infantry; Peter Gebhard, Company L, Fourth Wisconsin Cav-
alry: James D. Grant, Company D. Sixth New York Heavy
Artillery; Thomas J. Hill, Company C, Eighth Wisconsin Infan-
try; Charles H. Henry, Company K, Twenty-fifth Wisconsin
Infantry ; Dwight L. Hazen, Company K, Fifth Wisconsin Infan-
try ; Patrick A. Hackett, Company K, Fifth Wisconsin Infantry ;
William Hall, Company C, Twentieth Indiana Infantry; Peter
Haas. Company A, Third Wisconsin Infantry; Edward H. Ilussey,
Company D, Second Ohio Infantry; Edward H. Hussey, Com-
pany C, One Hundred and Eighth Ohio Infantry; A. C. Hath-
away, Company F, Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry; James II. Hazen,
Company G, Sixteenth Wisconsin Infantry; George F. Hallas,
Company B. Forty-seventh Wisconsin Infantry; Melvin Hubbell,
Company H, Seventh Iowa Cavalry; G. K. Ives, Company H,
Ninth Maine Infantry ; Lafayette Johnson, Company A, Twenty-
first Pennsylvania Cavalry; Lafayette Johnson, Company G,
Forty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry; J. M. Jewett, Twelfth Wis-
consin Battery ; E. G. Jordan, Company B, First Maine Heavy
196 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Artillery; E. G. Jordan, seaman gunboat "Pontiac"; John A.
Jones, Company I, Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry; John A. Jones,
Company C, Eighth Wisconsin Infantry; Lorenzo Johnson, Com-
pany F, Thirty-first United States C. T. ; L. L. Lancaster, Com-
pany L, Second Wisconsin Cavalry; George Linton, Company D,
Fifteenth New York Cavalry; Henry Laycock, Company C,
Eighth Illinois Cavalry; William Lord, Company I, Sixth Maine
Infantry; L. W. Little, Company E, Fourth Iowa Cavalry; John
Lorenz, Company B, Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry ; A. W. Mun-
ger, Company B, One Himdred and Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania
Infantry; Jerre Murphy, Company B, Sixth Wisconsin Infantry;
Henry Mitchell, Company B, First Iowa Cavalry; Abram Man-
chester, Company K, Ninth Maine Cavalry; John Mahoney, Com-
pany E, Forty-seventh Wisconsin Cavalry; James H. Niblett,
Company A, Twelfth Michigan Infantry; Charles E. Newman,
Eighth Wisconsin Battery; Mannum Olin, Company G, Forty-
eighth, Wisconsin Infantry; Martin Page, Company A, Thirty-
seventh Wisconsin Infantry ; Thomas Powell, Company L, Second
Wisconsin Cavalry; John Pepper, Company I, One Hundred and
Thirty-fifth Illinois Infantry; Martin Pickett, Company II,
Eleventh United States Infantry ; James Pope, Company F, Forty-
eighth Wisconsin Infantry; E. A. Prink, Company E, First Wis-
consin Cavalry; James M. Pixley, Second Vermont Battery;
Edward P. Palmer, Company H, Two Hundred and Sixth Penn-
sylvania Infantry; Jerry Plemon, Company B, First Wisconsin
Cavalry; Joseph Quinlan, Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-
second Pennsylvania Infantry; John C. Rorig, Company K, Sixth
United States Infantry; Ranous, John G., Company G, Sixteenth
Wisconsin Infantry; R. B. Rathbun, Company I, Fortieth New
York Infantry; Theo. H. Rockwood, Company I, Fourth Wis-
consin Cavalry ; Sidney A. Russell, Company H, Fiftieth Wiscon-
sin Infantry; George H. Swartz, Company G, One Hundred and
Fourth Pennsylvania Infantry; W. E. Stevens, Company K,
Twelfth Michigan Infantry; A. M. Sherman, Company L, Second
Wisconsin Cavalrj'; Charles A. Seaman, Company G, One Hun-
dred and Thirty-seventh New York Infantry; Julius Semich,
Company A, Twenty-sixth Wisconsin Infantry ; II. M. Stocking,
Company G, Forty-eighth Wisconsin Infantry; Joseph Schimean,
Company I, Fifth Wisconsin Infantry ; Z. B. Stilwell, Company I,
Forty-second Wisconsin Infantry; AVilliam Small, Company K,
Twenty-fourth Wisconsin Infantry; Herbert Skeels, Company G,
Thirteenth New York Infantry; Martin L. Smith, Company B,
Third Minnesota Infantry; Charles Steinfort, Compay G, Thirty-
EAGLE POST, G. A. R. 197
eighth Wisconsin Infantry ; H. J. Steady, Company K, First Wis-
consin Infantry ; H. J. Steady, Company B, Thirty-fifth Wisconsin
Infantry; Thomas C. Sullivan, Company H, Sixth New Hamp-
shire Infantry ; Charles Strasburg, Company C, Eighth Wisconsin
Infantry; Henry P. Tanner, Company A, Sixtieth New York
Infantry ; George Turner, Company A, Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry ;
Joseph Vermilyea, Company H, Twenty-seventh Wisconsin Infan-
try; Charles Vermilyea, Company II, Twenty-seventh Wisconsin
Infantry; Charles Veitsch, Company A, Fifty-first Wisconsin
Infantry; W. F. Vinton, Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-
fourth New York Infantry ; George M. Withers, Company D, One
Hundred and Fourth Ohio Infantry ; R. H. Wyman, Company G,
One Hundred and Second New York Infantry; J. H. Waggoner,
Company E, Second Wisconsin Cavalry; S. U. Washburn, Com-
pany H, One Hundred and Fourth Ohio Infantry ; A. H. Wilson,
Company F, First Pennsylvania Cavah'y; Wales II. Willard,
Company B, Sixty-eighth New York N. G. ; Ephram Wilcox, Com-
pany C, Eighth Wisconsin Infantry; Samuel Williamson, seaman
United States steamship "Wabash"; G. H. Wooley, Company D,
Ninth New York Cavalry.
John E. Perkins Post, No. 98, was organized in Augusta on
August 3, 1883, ill what Avas called Beebe's Hall. Two years
later the hall was burned, including books of record and entire
working paraphernalia. It was not long, however, before that
indomitable pluck so characteristic of our Wisconsin boys was
again brought into action, and things began to come our way,
and, Phoenix like, out of the old came the new, being now located
in William's Hall, where we remained until forced to vacate on
account of remodeling and enlarging of the building. It was
some time before we were again located in our present cjuarters
in Teare's Hall, where we continued along the same old line of
teaching patriotism and love for "Old Glory," as well as seeking
out and caring for and administering to our needy eo-ijartners of
the great conflict of long ago.
Our post at this date (1914) has only twenty members in
good standing, some of which are getting old and feeble and soon
will have finished here and pass on to fairer climes to join the
great majority. We continue to pay our annual tribute to the
dead by strewing flowers over the graves of the Blue and the
Grey. Why not? One country and one flag is our slogan.
The time and place of meeting is Teare's Hall every second
and fourth Friday evenings. The following are the commanders
of John E. Perkins Post since its inception to the present time:
198 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Capt. R. D. Campbell, C. W. Culbertson, C. A. Kirkham, F. N.
Thomas, H. H. Kyle, W. H. H. Coolidge, G. F. Caldwell. We have
a large and flourishing Women's Relief Corps, alert and watchful
contributors to the old boys' best interests. "God bless the
Women's Relief Corps of the old Badger state."
G. F. Caldwell, Senior Vice Commander.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE ORGANIZED MILITIA.
By
MARSHALL COUSINS. |^v^^^rv^
In the days previous to the War of the Rebellion no military
organizations are known to have existed in this part of Wisconsin.
The militia was organized on paper, however, into eleven divisions
of two brigades each with two regiments to each brigade. The
organization was complete throughout the entire state in that all
officers from Colonel to Major were commissioned and assigned.
It is hard to understand in this day why such an organization
should have been planned as the population of the state was far
from sufficient to fill the ranks to the maximum.
Eau Claire County, together with Pierce, Dunn and Pepin
counties Avas in the territory assigned to the Second Brigade,
Eleventh Division, Wisconsin Militia, and William P. Bartlett,
still living, was commissioned a Major in the 43rd regiment. He
has been a resident of Eau Claire for nearly sixty years.
This organization fell to pieces when troops were actually
needed in 1861.
Under another chapter the military history of Eau Claire
County in the War of the Rebellion is taken up. This paper re-
lates only to militia or National Guard organizations.
From the files of old newspapers it appears an armed and
uniformed military organization known as the "Sharpshooters"
was organized in April 1875. Prom the Free Press the following
items have been taken:
Free Press, April 26, 1875.
The Sharpshooters, a new organization deriving their being
from the Norden Society, w^ent through the first drill above Uni-
versity Square yesterday afternoon.
Only about fifteen had received their arms and the rest were
not present, though quite a large crowd of spectators were. They
made a handsome appearance marching and will no doubt make
a fine volunteer company. They were armed with military rifles.
G. L. Johnson acted as drill master.
199
200
HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Free Press, June 6, 187J
Sharpshooters mentioned as in parade.
Marshall of the day.
Captain Sherman,
Free Press, December 23, 1876.
Colonel Kelley, of the Governor's staff, received an order a
short time since to inspect the company of State Militia in this
city, also the Clark County Zouaves.
The company at this place was inspected on Tuesday. Forty-
six men appeared with accoutrements.
In the absence of a Muster Roll of the "Sharpshooters" the
Avriter has been unable to locate any one who could give further
information concerning this organization.
February 11, 1878, the City Guards were organized and it is
understood several members of the Sharpshooters, which company
had disbanded, joined the new organization. The following is a
muster roll of the City Guards :
MUSTER ROLL OF THE CITY GUARDS W. S. M., EAU
CLAIRE, EAU CLAIRE COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
Dorwin C. Whipple, Captain. B. Frank Teal, 5th Sgt.
Michael E. 0 'Connell, 1st Lt.
Edward "W. Allen, 2nd Lt.
Robert K. Boyd, 1st Sgt.
John S. Owen, 2nd Sgt.
George W. Churchill, 3rd Sgt.
E. S. Radcliffe, 4th Sgt.
Chas. Jefferson, Corporal.
Geo. W. Smith, Corporal.
J. M. Smith, Corporal.
J. C. Bartlett, Corporal.
"W. S. Winters, Corporal.
George Burt, Corporal.
J. E. McGrath, Corporal.
PRIVATES.
^^harles L. AllenT]
Sever E. Brimi,
D. C. Baker,
S. A. Cuddy,
A. B. Converse,
J. C. Churchill,
B. J. Demorest,
W. W. Downs,
Chas. H. Dunn,
Godfrey Dawe,
Hugh Fitzpatriek,
E. B. Bartlett,
M. W. Burns,
J. H. Brooks,
B. S. Phillips,
Chas. H. Graham,
Wm. H. Huyssen,
D. J. Harrington,
John L. Joyce,
John E. Joyce,
THE ORGANIZED MILITIA 201
Thos. E. Kemp, M. C. Whipple,
Edward Kemp. Charles H. Daub,
Lloyd Morrison, Chris. Hogan,
Wm. C. Merrill, William Bonell,
S. R. Mann, J. H. Thomas,
N. A. Norluig, Thomas L. Gadsby,
E. B. Putnam, A. Garden,
C. W. Rickard, A. Furgerson,
C. A. Stouch, Zach Severtson,
Chauncey Smith, Geo. W. Pond,
Wm. W. Searles, Frank R. Sebeuthall,
Frank Hunter, S. W. Hutchinson,
R. B. Wall, Emanuel B. Flescher.
William Wall,
The arms and accoutrements were furnished by the State to
the Company but they had to furnish their own uniforms. Shortly
after organization a committee consisting of E. W. Allen, B. J.
Demorest and Geo. W. Churchill was appointed on ways and
means. They arranged for a play to be put on under the aus-
pices of the Company. The title of the piece was the "Color
Guard'' and March 19, 20, 21 and 22, 1878, it drew fine houses
at the Music Hall. Among many others whose names appear on
the program as taking parts we find those of C. W. Loekwood,
Wesley Butterfield, Frank R. Sebeuthall, Judge M. D. Bartlett
and Miss Russie Tinker.
The City Guard at one period during their activity went into
camp on the Fair Grounds.
In 1880 the City Guard appear to have disbanded, for in the
"Eau Claire Leader" of April 10, 1880, we find the following
item :
"Eau Claire Light Guards will meet Monday night at the
Armory at seven o'clock, to perfect the enlistment under the new
law, and receive recruits to increase the numerical strength of
the Company. By N. B. Rundle, Capt."
Military matters seemed to have lain dormant for many
months but again on September 20, 1881, the "Leader" says:
"The Militia last night met only to disperse. The Chairman of
the Committee on uniforms, Captain Wolf, has placed in the
hands of Mr. Rust the subscription list, which will be referred to
the principal business men of the city at his convenience."
Owing to the loss of the records the story of the struggle to
re-organize and perfect the company cannot be told. Efforts
202 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
however, were finally successful and the company was mustered
into the State Service as C Company.
C COMPANY, 1885.
C Company was mustered-iu June 29, 1885, by Captain John
W. Curran, A. D. C, by order of Governor Jerry Rusk. Fifty-
nine names were on the roll. The company took the place in the
Third Regiment made vacant by the mustering-out of the La
Crosse Light Guard. The officers were :
Victor Wolf, Captain,
Louis Babb, First Lieutenant,
Louis Schmidt, Second Lieutenant.
C Company attended the regimental encampments at Chip-
pewa Palls, September 7 to September 12, 1885, and at Wausau,
June 14 to June 19, 1886.
On account of internal dissensions the company was mustered
out of the state service June 10, 1887.
Captain Wolf had tendered his resignation some days before.
At an assembly of the company June 10, resolutions of respect
and regard for the sturdy old soldier were adopted. Captain
Wolf had served as captain of C Company, Eighth Wisconsin
Volunteer Infantry, in the Civil War, with great credit.
Captain Wolf was born December 24, 1824, in Obendorf, Ger-
many, and came to America at age of twenty-two years. He came
of soldier family and almost at once enlisted in New York for
service in the war with Mexico. Much to his disappointment his
company was sent to Governor's Island for garrison duty, instead
of into Mexico. In 1850, meeting Lieutenant Buckner, who later
became a well known general, he asked him to intercede for him,
and was sent to Florida as second in command, with a company
of one hundred men, for service in the Seminole War. With H
Company, of Fourth Artillery, he fought in the swamps and at
Key West. Was discharged in 1856 after nine years and ten
months' service. Settled in Eau Claire in 1858. In August 1861,
was commissioned First Lieutenant of C Company, Eighth Wis-
consin Volunteer Infantry, and became Captain May 11, 1862, on
the death of Captain Perkins, killed in action. This was the
company that carried Old Abe throughout the war. He died at
the age of eighty-five years, January 21, 1910, and was given a
military funeral.
The company kept up its organization and remained an inde-
pendent company until again mustered into the Guard as L Com-
pany. May 18. 1889. It was through the efforts of General Grif-
THE ORGANIZED MILITIA 203
fin, Senator William A. Rust and Captain Ilobart M. Stocking,
assemblyman, the company was again admitted to the state serv-
ice. General Griffin was the mustering officer, and he. Senator
Rust and Captain Stocking all made addresses following the
muster.
The officers at this time were: John Beisang, Captain; Chris-
topher Schlosser, First Lieutenant; Otto H. Kitzman, Second
Lieutenant.
During the two years the company was out of the state serv-
ice it built an armory costing $12,000.00. This building was lo-
cated on Railroad street, between North Barstow and Dewey
streets. It was burned December 31, 1890. Another armory was
at once built on the west side of North Barstow street, between
the C. M. & St. P. tracks and Eau Claire river. The building was
72 feet front by 186 feet deep, three stories in front part, with
drill floor 70 by 120 feet, and cost .$25,000.00. This armory was
burned February 15, 1902.
Captain Beisang resigned and was succeeded as captain by
Christopher Schlosser December 20, 1893 ; Otto H. Kitzman being
promoted to first lieutenant and Peter Schlosser to second lieu-
tenant on same date. L Company was again mustered-out of
service June 30, 1896.
The company reorganized with the election of Otto H. Kitz-
man as captain, C. L. Brown as first lieutenant and George L.
Prehn as second lieutenant. Lieutenant Brown served but a
short time when removal from city caused him to resign. Lieu-
tenant Prehn was promoted to first lieutenant and Karl A. Frank-
lin was commissioned second lieutenant. In a few months Lieu-
tenant Prehn resigned on account of leaving the city and was suc-
ceeded by Lieutenant Franklin and August Wuerch was com-
missioned second lieutenant.
Following the muster of the First, Second, Third and Fourth
Regiments into the volunteer service, the state began the organ-
ization of other regiments of the National Guard, to be prepared
for another call by the Washington Government, and Captain
Kitzman 's company was assigned to the Fifth Infantry, as B
Company. It was mustered July 25, 1898, by Captain George
Graham, of Tomah.
The service of the Fifth Infantry was not required by Presi-
dent McKinley, and the regiment was mustered-out in 1899, on
the re-entry into the Guard of the First, Second and Third Regi-
ments, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. On the failure of E Cora-
]iany of the Third Infantry to reorganize, B Company was trans-
204 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
ferred to the Third as E Company, on the recommendation of
Captain J. M. Ballard.
Lieutenant Wuereh resigned in January, 1899, on removal
from the city, and was succeeded by Wm. J. Kessler on May 16,
1899. The officers at the time of the transfer to the Third Infantry
were as follows :
Captain 0. H. Kitzman, First Lieutenant Carl A". Franklin,
Second Lieutenant Wm. J. Kessler.
On January 16, 1902, Earle S. Pearsall was commissioned as
captain. This was his entry into the Wisconsin National Guard.
He had served with the First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry in the
Philippines, and had beeu a resident of Eau Claire for about two
years at the time he was commissioned. He is still in command
of the company. Other changes in the commissioned staff are
noted in a list further on in this article.
Captain Pearsall had been in command less than one month
when the armory burned, February 15, 1902. He secured quarters
for the company in what was known as "Putnam Hall," where
they made their home for several years. They are now occupy-
ing a small hall on the second floor of a building on River street.
The quarters are entirely unsuited for military purposes.
Few matters of particular interest have occurred in the history
of the company since 1899, other than the loss of the armory.
The company has attended the annual encampments. It was with
the regiment at the manuever camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison,
September 21 to 30, 1898.
September 14, 15 and 16, 1911, the company participated in a
special military camp on the State Fair Grounds, Milwaukee.
This was by invitation of the State Fair Association.
A call for service was made in the fall of 1911. On Sunday,
October 8, late in the afternoon, Captain Cousins received a tele-
phone message from Major Williams, at Camp Douglas, advising
the governor had ordered Company D, of Mauston, Captain
Witherby, and Company E, Eau Claire, Captain Pearsall, to Black
River Falls, Jackson county. That city had suffered great losses
by flood a few days before and the troops were required for the
preservation of order and protection of property. At 10:15 P. M.
Captain Cousins wired Madison as follows:
Adjutant General, Madison, Wis.
E Company, three officers and forty-nine men, left for Black
River Falls at ten tonight. Will send other men tomorrow morn-
ing. Cousins, Adjutant.
THE ORGANIZED MILITIA 205
Major Williams had been ordered from Camp Douglas to
Black River Falls and was in charge of the troops and relief
work. For some days the companies were on duty and rendered
valuable assistance.
The officers and men of the company nave made repeated
efforts to secure a suitable home and it is hoped that in time an
armory will be erected. At the present E Company is the poorest
provided of an.v company in the regiment for quarters.
OFFICIAL ROSTER OF E COMPANY, THIRD INFANTRY.
1899.
Captains.
Otto H. Kitzman July 25, 1<S98
Earle S. Pearsall Jan. 16, 1902
1st Lieutenants.
Karl A. Franklin July 25, 1898
Thomas W. Gruber May 5, 1902
Charles W. Dinger Feb. 28, 1909
Karl C. Kraemer June 13, 1909
Richard F. Sortomme July 5, 1914
2nd Lieutenants.
Wm. J. Kessler May 16, 1899
Edward D. McMillan July 14, 1902
Chas. W. Dinger Nov. 29, 1904
Karl C. Kraemer Feb. 28, 1909
Harry 0. Hanson June 13, 1909
Richard F. Sortomme July 11, 1912
Carl H. Johnson July 5, 1914
CHAPTER XIV.
THE GEIFFIN RIFLES.
Ill the Summer of 1887 a number of the younger men of the
City of Eau Claire assembled to discuss the formation of a mili-
tary company. A preliminary meeting was held early in July,
and on the evening of July 13, 1887, a second meeting to effect
a temporary organization was held in Smith's Hall, corner of
South Barstow street and Gray street. Harry B. McMaster was
elected chairman and Thomas B. Culver performed the duties of
secretary. A large number were in attendance and the meeting
was an enthusiastic one. Committees were appointed to perfect
the organization. Interested gentlemen who had been investi-
gating the financing of the company made a favorable report.
Measures were taken to secure the Roller Skating Rink at the
corner of Second avenue and Ann street, on the west side for use
as an armory.
July 27, 1887, another meeting was held of which Harry B.
McMaster was chairman and A. J. Sheridan acting secretary. A
civil organization was formed with the election of Joseph M. Bal-
lard as president. Homer D. Cooley as vice-president and William
P. Chrissinger as secretary and Thomas B. Culver as treasurer.
These gentlemen with H. B. McMaster, George B. Mason and
Moses W. Burns composed the board of directors.
The committee on armory made a report that the old skating
rink, corner Ann street and Second avenue, could be secured for
a rental of fifty dollars per year and that the premises could be
bought outright for three hundred dollars.
In honor of a prominent citizen, the name "Griffin Rifles"
was adopted by a unanimous vote, by acclamation.
The meeting then proceeded to the election of a Captain and
on an informal ballot Harry B. McMaster received forty-two
votes and Walter J. Fitch four. The election of Captain McMas-
ter was made unanimous. A ballot for First Lieutenant was
taken and Walter J. Fitch received twenty-four votes, John P.
Sheridan nineteen and scattering four. Mr. Fitch declined the
election on the ground that he had in contemplation a business
arrangement which would cause his removal from the city. An-
other ballot was then taken and John P. Sheridan received forty
206
THE GRIFFIN RIFLES 207
votes, John Fred Farr four, George B. Mason two, and J. M.
Ballard one. The election of Lieutenant Sheridan was made
unanimous. An informal ballot for Second Lieutenant was then
taken, resulting in John Fred Farr receiving twenty-seven votes,
George B. Mason nine, J. M. Ballard three, and scattering seven.
Lieutenant Farr was thereupon unanimously elected.
The meeting then appointed a committee on by-laws and
articles of association consisting of Messrs. Fitch, McMaster and
Cooley and arranged for the appointment of a committee to solicit
honorary memberships.
In August the old rink became the armory of the new com-
pany and frequent meetings and drills were held to perfect the
organization. The citizens responded liberall}^ in taking out hon-
orary memberships. The Griffin Rifles Armory Association was
organized to take over the building and remodel it. This associa-
tion was a stock company and the citizens freely subscribed for
stock. October 11 to October 15 the company gave a fair at the
old Music Hall, then standing at the corner of South Barstow
and Kelsey streets, now the site of the Kahn-Truax building. A
report of the treasurer following the fair gave the net receipts
as $943.97. The ladies rendered great assistance to the members
of the company in making the fair a success. The money thus
obtained was used in the purchase of uniforms. Events of this
fair being of great interest were the cane contest and the hat
contest. The cane was won by John S. Owen, who received 950
votes. George B. Shaw was close competitor and Frank McDon-
ough came in third. John Ure won the silk hat with Ralph E.
Rust and Frank Moon second and third contestants.
October 19 First Lieutenant John P. Sheridan tendered his
resignation, owing to removal from the city, and First Sergeant
Joseph M. Ballard was unanimously elected to the position.
On October 26 Captain McMaster announced the Adjutant
General had advised arras would soon be shipped to the company.
The drilling in the foot movements was already under way. At
this same meeting a committee was appointed to consider plans
for the remodeling of the building and to provide for heating. In
December the company got down to hard drill. Sc[uad drills were
held from 8 :30 to 9 :30 and then company drills for one hour.
At the annual meeting December 6 A. J. Sheridan was chosen
recording secretary of the Civil Association, C. H. Greene financial
secretary and Thomas B. Culver treasurer. The by-laws had been
amended to provide for the captain of the company being presi-
dent of the Civil Association.
208 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
On November 22 the rifles, the old Springfield, were received
from the State and the company, which had heretofore been
drilling in foot movements, took up the manual of arms. The
uniforms did not come until December 15. These were purchased
by the company and each man received a pair of blue trousers,
a dark blue blouse and a dress coat. These coats were highly
decorated with facings and brass buttons, and fitted very tight.
The armory had been put in condition for drills and all
through the winter the company worked hard. In spite of great
stoves at either end kept at a red heat the men suffered from
the cold while drilling and many rifles fell to the floor from the
benumbed fingei-s of recruits. Captain McMaster was rapidly
molding the company into shape. In the selection of his non-
commissioned officers he used great care. Joseph M. Ballard when
the company first organized in the summer was First Sergeant
and on his election to First Lieutenant was succeeded by William
P. Chrissinger. Charles H. Green early in the history of the
company was made Quartermaster Sergeant.
During the winter of 1887-88 the Germania Guard, of Wausau,
was mustered out of the State service and the Griffin Rifles, to-
gether with two other independent companies, made application
for the vacancy. Adjutant General Chandler P. Chapman
ordered the three applicants to prepare for a competitive drill,
and in this contest the Rifles were the victors.
March 29 was the date set for the inspection. The other two
competitors for the place had already been inspected. The
armory was filled with friends of the company to witness this
critical event in the career of the Rifles. General Chapman de-
parted for Madison on completion of the inspection and that the
company made a satisfactory and successful showing is evidenced
by a telegram received on March 30 from General Chapman con-
veying the information that Governor Rusk had directed the
vacancy in the Third Infantry be filled by the mustering in of the
Eau Claire Company. On April 6 notice was given muster would
take place on April 20.
MUSTER IN AS E COMPANY.
On the evening of April 20, 1888, the company assembled at
Smith's Hall, owing to the armory being again under repairs,
and with due ceremony were mustered into the State service by
that grand old soldier. General Chapman. The muster roll of
April 20 was as follows :
THE GRIFFIN RIFLES 209
Captain Harry B. McMaster.
First Lieutenant Joseph M. Ballard.
Second Lieutenant J. Fred Farr.
First Sergeant William P. Chrissinger.
Quartermaster Sergeant Charles H. Green.
Sergeant T. Frank Thomas.
rSergeant J. Eugene Horan.
Sergeant Edward G. Kehr.
Sergeant Edward B. Kendall.
Corporal Allen J. VanValkenburg.
Corporal Homer D. Cooley.
Corporal Andrew T. Simms.
Corporal Dan MeGillis.
Musicians Percy Cochrane, Will C. Off.
Privates Fred H. Allen, Percy C. Atkinson, Frank H. Bartlett,
Sumner P. Bartlett, C. M. Boardman, William Bonell, Jr., John
M. Bostwick, Frank S. Bouchord, M. W. Burns, William L. Butler,
Carlos L. Carle, George A. Carlson, Will J. Carpenter, George B.
Chapman, Jr., James M. Charles, James I. Chrissinger, Walter J.
Conway, Marshall Cousins, Sam F. Crabbe, Charles A. Fleming,
Edward E. Fleming, Louis Fredricks, Arthur M. Fort, Henry A.
Glenn, Charles H. Graham, M. C. Griffin, Walter H. Hainer, Will
P. Hart, Clare S. Howland, C. Burt Johnson, John Kemp, Jr.,
Gilbert L. Larson, Hugh «McGough, Arthur A. Meggett, Frank L.
Morrison, Albert E. Palmer, Robert E. Parkinson, Eugene L.
PomO^au 0. Ray, U. Grant Richards, Will J. Seney, Ollie R.
Seevers, Herbert W. Smith, Isaac B. Spencer, Harvey G. Stafford,
Elmer E. Stanton, John H. Stockbridge, John C. Thompson, Ed. V.
Wall, George R. Watson.
E COMPANY, THIRD INFANTRY.
The Griffin Rities were now to be known as E Company of
the Third Infantry. Of this regiment Colonel Martin T. Moore,
of La Crosse, was in command. In the following summer the
company went into its first state camp. This was at Menomonie.
Tlie company was designated by the men of the other companies
as the "Babies," owing to the fact they had but so recently
entered the service. They were under constant and critical ob-
servation by the regimental officers and inspectors and came home
with an excellent record.
June 17 to 25, 1889, the Third Infantry encamped at the newly
established Wisconsin Military Reservation near Camp Douglas.
.,L
:210 HISTOEY OF EAU CLAIRE .COUNTY
The Third was the first regiment to make use of the grounds.
Previous to this time the regiments had camped at various towns
in the State. General Chapman and Captain George Graham,
of Tomah, were the first to consider the grounds near the village
of Camp Douglas for military purposes and in the summer of 1888
made an investigation. They found the present reservation as
well fitted for encampment purposes and maneuvering. No funds
being available for the purpose, General Chapman at his own risk
purchased four hundred and forty acres from seven different
owners. On April 22, 1889, a conference of. officers recommended
the State purchase of the grounds from General Chapman.
Nearly all the reservation was covered by second growth tim-
ber and brush. The first drill of the regiment after reaching
the reservation and making their camp was fatigue work. All
hands turned to and proceeded to clear uprooted stumps and
brush. This was piled in a huge heap near the guard quarters
and made a magnificent bonfire which burned throughout the
week.
The annual encampments since 1889 have been at the Wis-
consin Military Reservation.
The Griffin Rifles were one of the several companies invited
to the inauguration ceremonies of Governor William D. Hoard,
at Madison, January 7, 1889. They left Eau Claire in evening
of Sunday, January 6, and returned Tuesday morning.
October 14 to 19, 1889, the company gave a second "Fair
and Art Loan," which proved to be a great success. A cane
contest evoking great interest was a feature of this fair. Richard
T. Farr, a lumberman, was voted the cane. His principal com-
petitor Avas Horace Rust, another lumberman, and the race be-
tween these two gentlemen was fierce but good natured. Net
receipts of this fair were about $800.00.
ACTIVE SERVICE.
Late in the evening of July 19, 1889, a telegram was received
by Captain McMaster, reading as follows:
"Madison, Wisconsin.
July 19, 1889.
To Captain H. B. McMaster, Eau Claire :
Muster your company and proceed at once to West Superior
and report for duty to ]\Iayor of West Superior and Sheriff.
William D. Hoard,
Governor."
MARSHALL COUSINS
THE GRIFFIN RIFLES 2H
A large party was in progress at the residence of Clarence A.
Chamberlin and several members of the company were there as
guests, among them the Captain. Those present were immediately
dispatched as messengers to notify other members of the company.
An hour after receipt of the telegram fifty men were at the
armory in uniform, fully equipped and ready to march. The
limited number of ball cartridges on hand were issued. As the
sun was rising on the morning of the 20th the company took the
four o'clock train on the Omaha for West Superior. General
Griffiu accompanied the troops.
The riotous demonstration by several hundred strikers
prompted the West Superior officials to call for troops. A gen-
eral strike had been inaugurated. The police officers and deputy
sheriffs were unable to guard property and protect those men
who desired to work. The extensive coal docks were threatened
with destruction and work on public improvements had been
stopped. Mob rule prevailed.
The company arrived at Superior at 9 :30. Their arrival was
unexpected by the rioters and produced an excellent effect. The
company marched through the city to the city hall, where their
barracks were established. The men had hardly reached the
city hall when they were ordered out to intercept a body of
strikers reported to be moving on the water works trenches
where laborers were working. A press dispatch of that date
reads as follows :
■'The strikers were encountered and were much surprised at
the soldiers' sudden appearance, and many faint-hearted strikers
began to steal away from the scene. The prompt action of Gov-
ernor Hoard, and the fine appearance and soldierly conduct of
the troops are subjects of much favorable comment."
Sunday was spent in a comparatively quiet manner. On Mon-
day morning a mob of about two hundred men started out to
"run the town," while the greater portion of the Rifles, under
Captain McMaster, were protecting laborers at the coal docks.
The mob was encountered by Lieutenant Ballard with nineteen
men and by the firmness of General Griffin, who had hurried to
the scene, was dispersed under the most critical circumstances.
A thousand rounds of ammunition hurriedly forwarded were
received from Madison for the Griffin Rifles, while, late in the
afternoon. Company L were placed under arms in their armory
at Eau Claire, in accordance with telegraphic orders, and held in
; , readiness to start for Superior till 10 o'clock that night, when
:;r they were dismissed, but notified to promptly respond to a given
212 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
signal. The needed lesson had been taught, however, for the mob
element realized that the military authorities "meant business."
and Tuesday was spent by the troops in the comparatively simple
duty of protecting laborers and standing ready to quell any
riotous proceedings. Most of "Wednesday passed in much the
same way. It had become evident that much of the not spn-it
had been subdued and the troops departed for home on the after-
noon train of that day. During the whole tour of duty, the
purpose of sustaining the civil authorities, suppressing disorder
and preserving the peace was steadily maintained by General
Griffin, and his judicious management fully accomplislied this
design without bloodshed, the civil authorities being enabled to
make arrests, with the troops at hand to support them.
On their arrival at Eau Claire that night, the Rifles were met
at the depot and escorted to their armory by their gallant com-
rades of Captain Beisang's Company L with a band. At the
armory the members of Company E were welcomed by a large
number of ladies, who had prepared for the soldier boys an
elegant repast. The "war" was over; the Rifles had endeavored
to do their duty as citizen soldiers ; their superiors, including
General Griffin and the commander-in-chief, were satisfied with
the conduct of the members of Company E, and the boys were
content.
Governor Hoard in General Orders No. 13, 1889, made public
acknowledgment of the excellent service rendered by the com-
pany. The order reads as follows:
General Orders, Adjutant General's Office,
No. 13. Madison, July 27, 1889.
Late in the evening of the 19th inst. the Governor received
a message from the Mayor of Superior and the Sheriff of Douglas
coimty, representing that the civil authorities there were unable
to maintain the peace and protect the persons and property of
the citizens and requesting that a company of the National Guard
might be sent to their assistance. Complying with this request,
an order was issued to Captain Harry B. McMaster, commanding
Company E, Third Regiment, Wisconsin National Guard, at Eau
Claire, to muster his command and proceed by first train to West
Superior and report to the Mayor. A message was also sent to
Brigadier General M. Griffin, Quartei-master General, requesting
him to accompany the troops, not only to provide quarters and
subsistence, but to act as the personal representative of the
Governor.
THE GRIFFIN RIFLES 213
These messages did not reach theii- destination until after one
0 'clock in tlie morning, but when delivered they were acted upon
with such promptness and celerity that the several members of
the company were called from sleep at their homes, and it is
represented forty-nine officers and men reported for duty within
an hour. Leaving Eau Claire at about 4 o'clock a. m., in five
hours thereafter the company reached West Superior, 147 miles
distant, and reported as directed.
All reports concur in ascribing the avoidance of most serious
trouble, involving destruction of property if not loss of life, to
the timely arrival, soldierly bearing and complete discipline of
tliis detachment of the National Guard of the State, aided as it
was by the experienced .judgment and wise direction of General
Griffin.
A most delicate and unwelcome duty was performed with
eminent credit to all concerned, to the entire satisfaction of the
Commander-in-Chief, and with great profit to the community
calling for assistance, and therefore to the State at large.
Most happily bloodshed was avoided, but the power and the
dignity of the military arm of the State were manifest, and thus
aided, the civil authorities were enabled to reinstate order in
place of chaos, and law in place of mob rule — demonstrating once
again the wisdom of establishing and maintaining an efficient body
of well instructed and properly disciplined state troops and once
again warning all persons that Wisconsin can and will protect
its citizens in their right to labor as and when and where they
The Commander-in-Chief takes pleasure in extending to Briga-
dier General Griffin and to Captain McMaster and the officers and
men of liis company this public expression of his estimate of the
value of their services. By Order of the Governor,
Geo. W. Burchard,
Adjutant General.
The second call for active duty for Company E was in the
summer of 1894. At 12 :20 a. ni., July 9, 1894, Captain Ballard
received the following dispatch from Adjutant General Falk:
Milwaukee, Wis., July 8, 1894, 11 :40 p. m.
Captain J. M. Ballard,
Commanding Company E, Third Infantry, W. N. G., Eau
Claire, Wis.
■ Assemble your command at armory immediately, equipped
for the field with two days' rations. Take all ammunition on
214 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
hand. Will probably require your service in the morning. Expect
Colonel Moore to be in Eau Claire tomorrow morning. Will wire
further instructions later. Answer at once.
(Signed) Palk,
Adjutant General.
Immediately upon the receipt of this order Captain Ballard
communicated with his First aud Second Lieutenants, and or-
dered them to notify each non-commissioned officer to report to
him at once at the armory with his squad. At 2 :15 a. m. he
instructed the First Sergeant to fall the company in and call the
roll. There were found to be fifty-seven officers and enlisted men
in the ranks present for duty. The company remained constantly
in the armory ready to respond to all orders, and had a regular
tour of duty. Guard mount at 8 a. m., drill at 9 a. m. and 3 p. m.,
and dress parade at 7:30 p. m. daily from the time it assembled
at 2:15, July 9, until 8 p. m. July 11, 1894, when the company
was dismissed.
Companies L (Eau Claire), H (Menomonie) and C (Hudson)
were also assembled and held in readiness at their armories dur-
ing this pfiriod.
Colonel Moore and Major Julius E. Kircheis arrived at au
early hour July 9 and established quarters at the Eau Claire
Hovise. The Regimental Sergeant Major, Marshall Cousins, re-
ported to Colonel Moore for duty. The great railroad strike of
1894 Avas then at its height and the sheriff at Spooner on the
Omaha railway had made a call on the Governor for aid in pro-
tecting property and securing the movement of trains. Fortu-
nately the assembling of troops at their armories was accepted
by the sti'ike leaders as a proof of the Governor's determination
to prevent violence. General Louis Auer, Quartermaster General,
visited Spooner and conferred with the strike leaders, and order
was soon restored. The officers of the guard and men of the
company were well pleased they were not required to visit the
scene of the disturbance.
Following this little occurred out of routine military work
up to the call for troops in April, 1898. Rifle practice was taken
up by E Company very soon after it was mustered into the State
service. Moses W. Burns, a private in the company, was in-
structor in rifle work. A range was fitted up on the prairie south
of the city which the men reached by crossing the Milwaukee
railroad bridge in the Fourth Ward. Mention of Private Burns
will be made later. The company soon developed a number of
THE GRIFFIN RIFLES 215
shots who were much above the average and among them may be
mentioned Captain Ballard, Sergeants Wall, Cousins and Farr,
and Privates Burns, Burroughs, Ray, Parkinson, Larson, Charles
and Carlson. The E Company rifle team won first place in the
National Guard of Wisconsin at Camp Douglas in 1890 and in
1891, in competition with teams from all other companies in the
State, won a handsome and costly trophy, generously presented
by Robert K. Boyd, of Eau Claire. In 1892 E Company lost the
Boyd trophy by a few points. In 1891 Moses W. Burns qualified
as sharpshooter and Captain J. M. Ballard, Sergeant Marshall
Cousins, Private Robert E. Parkinson and Sergeant Edward V.
Wall as marksmen. In the following season, 1892, Private Edward
S. Burroughs was awarded the decoration of marksman.
At a camp of instruction and interstate rifle competition held
at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, October 24 to 29, 1892, Private Edward
S. Burroughs was one of the contestants and Private M. W. Burns
Avas present on detail as an instructor.
In the social life of the city E Company in its earlier days
took a prominent part and its dancing parties were the events of
the season.
OFFICIAL ROSTER OF GRIFFIN RIFLES.
Rank. Name. Date of Election.
Captain, Harry B. McMaster July 27, 1887
First lieutenants, Walter J. Fitch July 27, 1887
John P. Sheridan July 27, 1887
Joseph M. Ballard October 19, 1887
Second lieutenant, John Fred Farr July 27, 1887
OFFICIAL ROSTER OF E COMPANY, THIRD INFANTRY.
Rank. Name. Date of Rank.
Captains, Harry B. McMaster April 20, 1888
Joseph M. Ballard April 15, 1890
First lieutenants, Joseph M. Ballard April 20, 1888
^ , John E. Horan April 15, 1890
i ^"^^ "ETward G. Kehr September 25, 1890
Thomas P. Cochrane March 19, 1891
Second lieutenants, John F. Farr April 20, 1888
John E. Horan^ April; 24, 1889
.. Edward E. Kehr April 15, 1890
HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Thomas P. Cochrane September 25, 1890
Samuel F. Crabbe March 19, 1891
Wesley 0. Smith December 5, 1895
John E. Barron August 20, 1897
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.
Sketches of those prominently identified with the company
in its earlier days are of special interest.
The Griffin Rifles was named in honor of General Michael
Griffin of Eau Claire. He was born in County Clare, Ireland,
September 9, 1842. Enlisted in the Twelfth Wisconsin Infantry,
September 11, 1861. Wounded in battle of Bald Hill, Ga., on
February 11, 1865. With Sherman on the march from Atlanta
to the sea. Commissioned First Lieutenant July 5, 1865. In
1894 was elected to Congress and served two terms. Was De-
partment Commander of the G. A. R. Died suddenly December
29, 1899.
General Griffin was Quartermaster General during the admin-
istration of Governor Hoard, 1891 and 1892. He was an active
and sincere fi'iend of the company from its organization to the
time of his death.
Harry B. McMaster, Captain from the organization, resigned
and received his discharge January 28, 1890. He had two years'
experience at West Point and served the interests of the com-
pany with zeal, and established it upon a firm foundation.
John Eugene Horan, a charter member of the company, was
discharged as First Lieutenant August 25, 1890. He was a model
officer, capable, indefatigable, and thoroughly informed. He is
now a prominent lawyer in the State of Washington, residing in
Everett.
Edward G. Kehr was discharged as First Lieutenant March
13, 1891. He rendered the company valuable service and was
a particularly efficient and popular officer.
John Fred Farr, now a prominent practicing physician of
this city, resigned and was discharged April 4, 1889. His re-
tirement was the subject of much regret. He was an able, ener-
getic officer. In 1898 he resided at Stanley, Wis., and organized
a company for service in the Spanish-American War, which was
offered to the Government. The war ended before the services
of this company were required. Several years later Dr. Farr
again established his home in Eau Claire.
W. Burns was the father of small arms practice in E
THE GRIFFIN RIFLES 217
Company and was among the first in the State to take up this
branch of the military work. No attention had been paid to
practice until after the establishment of Camp Douglas ranges.
There in 1889 Cajitain Phillip Reade, of the regular army, started
the work and from that day to this Wisconsin has been a shooting
State and the Third Infantry has the reputation of being one
of the best shooting regiments in the National Guard of the
country. Private Burns was made the team Captain of E Com-
pany and took entire charge of the instruction. For years he
had been interested in rifle shooting and had made a reputation
as a rifle shot before he began with the military rifles. With
him rifle shooting had been reduced to a science. As an in-
structor he was very efficient and took great satisfaction in
imparting to the beginner information on the many fine points
of the shooting game. He took more delight in coaching a recruit
into a good score than to make one himself.
He had been a member of the old City Guards, which existed
in the seventies, and became a charter member of the Griffin
Rifles. He served five years in the company, when ill health
compelled his retirement. He died October 1, 1894.
I
■I
CHAPTER XV.
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
By
MARSHALL COUSINS.
All through the month of April the people of the nation
watched the gathering war clouds with deep concern. With all
others of the National Guard of the country, the members of
E Company were particularly close observers of developments,
and as day by day went by the feeling became more certain war
would result. The Armory, then situated at the corner of First
avenue and Ann street, facing on the Chippewa river, was open
every evening and the rendezvous of the men of the company.
At 12:19 on the morning of Thursday, April 28, the following
telegram was received by the company commander:
"Captain J. M. Ballard,
Eau Claire, Wis.
Assemble all men enrolled at Armory ready to entrain at
10:30 a. m., Omaha. Bring all extra property, one day's rations.
By Command of the Governor,
C. R. Boardman,
Adjutant General ' '
Many men were in the Armory when the call was received
and immediately were dispatched to carry the word to all other
members of the company. It was a busy night and by eight
o'clock on the morning of the 28th the company was assembled
at its Armory ready to take up the march to the depot.
Captain Ballard had been advised by General Boardman sev-
eral days before, the maximum strength of volunteer companies
was fixed at 101 and the minimum at 89. These figures included
officers. Instructions had been given, however, not to enlist over
65 men in the National Guard Company.
All business in the city was practically suspended. At ten
o'clock banks, stores and factories closed. Shortly after ten
the company left the Armory and began the march to the Omaha
Station. An immense cheering assembly greeted the men as, in
heavy marching order, in column of fours, they moved out onto
First avenue. An escort column was made up as follows :
218
SPANI8H-AJIERICAN WAR 219
Metropolitau Band.
Mayor, Aldermen and other City Officials,
Eagle Post, Grand Army of the Kepublie, 150 strong.
Griffin Rifles, E Company.
From Armory to the depot was one grand ovation. At the
depot it was estimated fully half of the people of Eau Claire
had assembled. The troop train from Hudson did not arrive
until 11:15 and the company immediately boarded the car as-
signed to them. Plentiful lunches had been provided by the
Grand Army and the Women's Relief Corps. Carnations and
roses from the ladies decorated the blue uniform of every soldier.
Ninety-seven men and officers were on the company roll.
On this train was C Company, of Hudson, and H Company, of
Menomonie. At Merrillau A Company, of Neillsville, was
attached.
The Regimental Sergeant Ma.jor, Marshall Cousins, traveled
with E Company.
Among those who accompanied the troop train from Eau Claire
were Captain Charles H. Henry, a veteran of the War of the
Rebellion ; Harrj^ M. Atkinson, editor of the Leader, and Pro-
fessor M. S. Frawley of the Eau Claire High School.
Harry Atkinson was determined to enlist. He had, for a short
period several years before, been a member of the Guard. His
brother, Percy C, had already enlisted, but it required long
argument on the part of Captain Ballard, Captain Henry, Pro-
fessor Frawley and others to convince Harry his first duty was
to remain with his paper. He only gave up when assured should
a second call come, he would be permitted to go.
In Captain Ballard's Company were a number of high school
boys, among them members of the spring graduating class. The
graduation essays of several of the young soldiers were then in
the hands of Professor Frawley. At frequent intervals through-
out the day the professor would take out these essays and gaze
at them with tear-dimraed eyes.
It was a bright sunny day and at every village and city along
the route the troops received an ovation. Madison was reached
late in the afternoon. There were assembled thousands of stu-
dents and citizens. Several state officers boarded the train to
extend their greetings, among them being the noted newspaper
correspondent, Hon. Gilbert E. Vandercook, then Assistant Sec-
retary of State, and Hon. Sewall A. Peterson, State Treasurer,
a former officer of H Company. Nels Nelson, a University stu-
220 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
dent, had served an enlistment with E Company. He boarded
the Eau Claire car to bid his former comrades goodbye, but soon
changed his mind and announced to his classmates on the plat-
form he was going on with the company. He finished his course
at Madison after the war.
The Wisconsin troops were mobilized at the State Fair
Grounds, near Milwaukee, the camp being named "Camp Har-
vey," in honor of the War Governor, Louis P. Harvey, drowned
April 19, 1862, at Pittsburg Landing, in the Tennessee river,
while on a visit to the wounded Wisconsin soldiers at Shiloh.
Sometime after dark the train reached the camp and was met
at the depot by Governor Scofield, General Boardman, Colonel
Patton and Colonel Ginty. The trotting horse stables were as-
signed to Colonel Moore's Third Infantry, and to these quarters
the troops from the northwest were conducted. The writer of
this sketch recalls the trip in the darkness with Governor Scofield
as a guide, from the station to the Administration Building, where
the Governor had established his military headquarters. Lan-
terns were few and the night dark, but the companies moved
without confusion to the quarters.
The large roomy box stalls had been plentifully supplied with
fresh straw and the tired men were glad to roll themselves in
their blankets and seek rest in these improvised barracks.
From this point on, the war history of the company becomes
intermingled with that of the other companies of the regiment.
The history of the regiment will be given with such additions
as pertain particularly to the Eau Claire Company.
On the regimental roster when the regiment was called to
service were the following field and staff officers :
Colonel Martin T. Moore, La Crosse.
Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin F. Parker, Milwaukee.
Major Thomas J. George, Menomonie.
Major Julius E. Kircheis, La Crosse.
Major Randolph A. Richards, Sparta.
Captain Orlando Ilolway, Adjutant, La Crosse.
Captain George A. Ludington, Quartermaster, Neillsville.
Major John B. Edwards, Surgeon, Mauston.
Captain Edward H. Grannis, Assistant Surgeon, Menomonie.
Captain Charles F. King, Assistant Surgeon, Hudson.
Marshall Cousins, Regimental Sergeant Major, Eau Claire.
In addition to the above, the regiment carried as a National
Guard Organization three Battalion Adjutants, but at the first
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 221
call for troops the Battalion Adjutants were not included. They
were:
First Lieutenant E. Bartlett Farr, First Battalion, Eau Claire.
First Lieutenant Louis Sehalle, Second Battalion, Tomah.
First Lieutenant Henry W. Klopf, Third Battalion, Neillsville.
A few days after the regiment arrived at Camp Harvey, Con-
gress passed a law accepting National Guard Organizations as
they had existed in the states and the Battalion Adjutants were
ordered into the camp.
Immediately on arrival of the regiment at Camp Harvey,
Colonel Moore looked about for a regimental headquarters. Be
tween the barracks occupied by his men and the race track,
under a spreading tree (not a chestnut) was the blacksmith shop,
where the trotters, the former occupants of the barracks, had
their shoes adjusted. This being the only available building,
was quickly converted into the headquarters of the Third
Infantry.
The morning of April 29 opened cold and raw. Throughout
the stay of the troops at Camp Harvey the weather was uncom-
fortably cold. The men sleeping in the barracks or box stalls,
being well supplied with straw, did not suffer greatly from cold
during the nights, but those officers who had been supplied with
tents would get up in the morning chilled through and through.
The dressing room facilities at this camp, while perhaps suitable
for the former occupants of the barracks, were not exactly con-
venient for the young soldiers, but they made the best of it.
Going across the race track from quarters they would break the
ice on the brook and make their toilets, talking and laughing
even with chattering teeth.
The period at Camp Harvey was full of excitement and uncer-
tainty. Tlie air was charged with rumors of battles fought and
orders to the front. It was fully expected the Wisconsin regi-
ments would be rushed into Cuba. Governor Scofield made every
effort to prepare the men properly for service. He looked with
no enthusiasm upon war and much deplored it, although heartily
endorsing the course of President McKinley. He had made a
brilliant record for himself in the War of the Rebellion and re-
ceived promotion to the rank of Major for gallantry on the
field of Gettysburg. He knew what war meant.
The troops were, immediately on arrival at Camp Harvey,
put on the regular army ration. To this the Governor, however,
insisted there should be added milk and butter. He said the
■222 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
great dairy state of Wisconsin could well afford to supply her
soldiers with these articles while they were still in the state;
that there would be time enough later for them to do without.
A change in the personnel of the regimental staff took place
during the period the regiment was in preparation for muster in.
Captain George A. Ludington, who had for so many years served
faithfully and well as Regimental Quartermaster, owing to his
physical condition was rejected by the surgeons. Charles R.
"Williams for some years had been in charge of Camp Douglas
Reservation and held the rank of Captain in the Quai-tei-master 's
Department. He was transferred to the regiment as Quarter-
master, and Captain Ludington became depot Quartermaster at
Camp Douglas. Captain Williams came to the regiment splen-
didly equipped owing to his familiarity with the supply depart-
ments of the army and proved to be a most efScient officer.
Another change in the staff occurred at this time. Lieutenant
E. B. Farr, of Eau Claire, was rejected by the surgeons and
Marshall Cousins, then Regimental Sergeant Major, was conunis-
sionecl as Battalion Adjutant and assigned to the First Battalion,
commanded by Major George. Tliis position had been offered
to Lieutenant Cousins in 1895, but he had declined it in order
to find a place as a commissioned officer for Lieutenant Farr.
May 1 was the first Sunday in the camp and the newspapers
of Milwaukee estimated 60,000 visitors passed through the
grounds. Daily during the time the troops were at Camp Harvey
thousands of citizens visited the camp. Monday morning, May 2,
the camp was aroused at an early hour by the cry of the news-
boys annouucing Dewey's great victory at Manilla, "and many
Spaniards killed." Cheer after cheer went up from the young
soldiers and the chilly sunrise temperature was forgotten.
Active preparations were going on night and day to complete
the organization and to fully and completely prepare the troops
for active service. Lieutenant Colonel Tildeu, Deputy Surgeon
General of the United States Army, organized and swore the
Regimental Surgeons as Government Examining Surgeons, and
on May 5 the examination of officers and men was begun. A few
of the Eau Claire boys failed to pass this physical examination.
Several of them, on being informed by the kindly Dr. Tilden
they could not be mustered in, could not restrain the tears.
Wednesday, May 11, 1898, was an eventful day in the history
of the soldiers of the Third Infantry, as well as of Wisconsin.
For on this day at 1:30 o'clock, Captain William L. Buck, of
SPANISH-AMERICAX WAR 223
, the United States Army, began mustering- tlie regiment into the
United States service.
Shortly after noon Captain Buck entered regimental head-
quarters, formerly the blacksmith shop, where he found Lieuten-
ant Cousins on duty. The headquarters' rolls were in readiness
and Captain Buck asked they be immediately signed by the
officers of the field and staff, handing a pen to the Lieutenant.
That officer, however, suggested Colonel Moore be given the honor
of first signing the oath as a soldier of the United States. Pol-
lowing Colonel Moore, the Lieutenant signed and became the
second to muster. After the headquarters had been mustered,
one by one the companies were taken up, the roll called and in
an impressive manner the men, with uncovered heads, took the
oath as United States Volunteer Soldiers. ]\Iany spectators wit-
nessed this interesting ceremony.
The Third Infantry was the first Wisconsin organization to be
mustered into the Federal service.
MUSTER-IN ROLL.
Joseph M. Ballard, Thomas P. Cochrane, John E. Barron,
Fred Arnold, Seymour H. Knight, Francis Deline, Guido H. Faber,
Horace L. Whittier, Frank Hill, Donald Boyd, Joseph Bellmer,
Percy C. Atkinson, Henry A. Bitter, Harry Stanard, Samuel Hill-
stad, Wilfred A. Kutzner, Hugh 0. Beadle, Roy M. Baston,
Sumner P. Bartlett, Russell C. Bailey, Ezra L. Catheart, Roy
Fowler, ^EgjJJiJVbo, George Herron, Adam Ahneman, James G.
Brackett, Hei'bert E. Bush, Herbert L. Boleman, William H.
Bruce, Dwight C. Brace, Fred W. Bandoli, Holford F. Calvert,
William J. Cameron, William P. Carroll, Malcolm J. Cernahan,
William Cheators, Carl F. Bandeliu, Charlie Curry, Patrick De-
chaine, Charles E. Day, William H. Dodge, George E. Ecklund,
Eugene Eldridge, Philip C. Elbert, Charles Eek, William F. Elbut,
Lawrence A. Flaghr, Harry F. Fowler, Jerome E. Gillett, Samuel
E. Grout, Charles W. Hall, Edward Haggerty, Roy W. Hebard,
George M. S. Hort, Julius W. Holberg, Clarence H. Hutchinson,
Frank Humes, Martin H. Johnson, John F. Joyce, Charles E.
Kelley, Prank S. Kopleberger, Hans S. Lund, Augus McKay, Al.
S. Morgan, Charles T. Mosher, Nels B. Nelson, Bernie Nelson,
Charles R. Nichols, Carl G. Nyquist, Joseph Nelson, George C.
Ranous, Harry M. Samuels, Samuel L. Stafford, George Sherman,
Christ H. Schroeder, George L. Slosson, Carl M. Toft, Herman
224 HISTORY OF BAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Watsou, Harry W. "Werner, Felix H. H. Watterbury, Rosswell B.
Van Wagenen, Charles Russell.
The above is a list of officers and men who were mustered into
the United States Volunteer Infantry May 11. 1898, by W. L.
Buck, Captain U. S. A. When the orders came for volunteers,
it called for three officers and 101 men. Company E left Eau
Claire, Wis., April 28, 1898, with three officers and 99 men, for
Camp Harvey. Before the time for mustering in, an order was
issued reducing each company to 84 officers and men, the surplus
being sent home. After ai'riving at Camp Thomas an order came
to increase company to 106 officers and men. Following is a list
of same :
Simon Rohm, John Ahearu, Alfred G. Ballerd, William J.
Baxter, Jolin H. Cheever, Thomas F. Dowling, Lester Frost,
Eugene E. Hanson, William Hall, W. H. Ilawley, Harry Huey,
Charles H. Johnson, W. P. Kennedy, Arthur Kalanguin, Gilbert
N. Krohg, John Kungerman, August Kessler, Herbert S. Lyons,
Louis Larson, Leonard Loken, Albert J. McClintock, Niles E.
Meservey, Timothy J. Reagan, Ward Ross, John S. Shallenburger,
Arthur S. Sherman, Homer W. Sloan, John Somerville, Arthur
Thompson, Graham B. Thompson.
The following named men came to Camp Harvey with E Com-
pany, but were rejected by the examining surgeon and ordered
sent to their homes:
Richard Hollen, LeRoy Binder, William Myre, S. Edward
Bostwick, 0. Olson, J. Frederick, Floyd Jones, William A.
Schwahn, J. A. Cooper, J. B. Noble, Lieutenant E. Bart Farr.
Most of these men were rejected owing to being under weight.
Officers of the regular army assisting in the organization and
muster of the Wisconsin troops were Lieutenant Frank M. Cald-
well of the Seventh Cavalry. Lieutenant Caldwell went to West
Point from Oshkosh and took a warm personal interest in Wis-
consin. He was on an inspection tour of the Wisconsin companies
when the call came and he was directed to report at Camp Harvey.
He was detailed as Post Quartermaster and Commissary. When
the Fourth Regiment was organized Lieutenant Caldwell was
commissioned as Lieutenant Colonel and rendered valuable and
able service with that regiment.
Captain William L. Buck, Thirteenth Infantry, was the chief
mustering officer. Captain Buck had several years previous to
the war served a detail as United States inspector with the Wis-
consin troops.
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 225
A very popular oiBcer paid a visit to the regiment unofficially.
Captain Phillip Reade. It was under Phil Reade's instruction
the first rifle practice was had at Camp Douglas. This was the
subject in which Captain Reade was greatly interested and the
Wisconsin men quickly partook of his enthusiasm. He had a
personal acquaintance, through the close contact on the range, of
many officers and enlisted men, and has always been exceedingly
popular with the Wisconsin Guard. Several years ago he retired
as a Brigadier General.
The medical department of the army was represented by Lieu-
tenant Colonel Henry R. Tilton, Deputy Surgeon General of the
army. He called to his assistance Dr. Ladd, of Milwaukee, and
Dr. Reynolds, of Geneva. These three distinguished surgeons
arranged for and supervised the physical examination of the
troops previous to their acceptance by the Federal Government.
Two interesting events occurred during the period the regi-
ment was in Camp Harvey. One of these was the marriage of
Sumner P. Bartlett and Miss Olga Arnold, one of Eau Claire's
beautiful daughters.
Charles W. Hall, of the company, was also married to a Mil-
waukee young lady.
The marriage of Corporal Bartlett was kept a secret from
his comrades until shortly before his death in Porto Rico.
During the period the regiment was at Camp Harvey many
friends from home visited E Company. Among them may be
mentioned General Michael Griffin, Captain C. H. Henry, Major
William P. Bartlett, Captain John Kelley, John C. Fennessey, John
F. Roberts, Captain Chris Schlosser, Mayor S. S. Kepler, D. A.
Cameron, Aldermen — Hugh J. Forest, J. H. Young, Frank Gre-
goire, Martin Severson, John H. Fleming, M. S. Beecher, Charles
S. Lee, N. J. Mclutyre, Chief of Police John Higgins, William K.
Atkinson and wife, Harry M. Atkinson, Florence Atkinson, Miss
Clara Zwickey, Mrs. Thomas Hutchinson, Mrs. J. M. Ballard, Mi-s.
II. L. Whittier, Mrs. Henry Cousins and Miss Mary Cousins.
Other welcome visitors were George B. Early, of Chippewa Falls,
and Lieutenant Governor Emil Baensch.
This subject cannot be passed without special reference to the
visit of Miss Vera I. Moore, daughter of Colonel Moore. For a
long period Miss Moore had been known as "The daughter of
the regiment," and annually encamped with the regiment, for
which she felt the same love, admiration and pride as her worthy
father.
226 HISTORY OF BAU CLAIRE COUNTY
THE VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION.
The organization in tli€ Wisconsin regiments differed in a few
respects from the organization under the United States laws.
The Wisconsin regiments had regularly appointed Quartermasters
with rank of Captain, and also had regularly appointed Battalion
Adjutants with rank of First Lieutenant, mounted, and Battalion
Sergeants Major. In the regular service these positions were
tilled by detail of line officers.
General Charles King, some years previous to the war, had
recommended to the Governor and Legislature the passage of a
law making these positions permanent ones, and Marshall Cousins,
when a member of the Legislature, had prepared and secured
the passage of such a law. On the reorganization of the army,
following the Spanish-American War, the Federal laws were
amended and now closely follow the Wisconsin regulations of
that day.
As previously stated, the Battalion Adjutants and Battalion
Sergeants Major were not included in the first call, but a few
days after the call Congress enacted a law accepting the organi-
zations as they had existed in the states, and those affected were
ordered into camp. In the Wisconsin establishments the Regi-
mental Adjutant and Regimental Quartermaster held the rank
of Captain. Assistant Surgeons also held rank of Captain. When
these officers were mustered into the United States service, how-
ever, their rank was reduced to First Lieutenant.
When the call was made, Marshall Cousins, of Eau Claire,
went into the camp as Regimental Sergeant Major, which position
he had held for several years. On the rejection of Lieutenant
Farr by the Surgeons, the Sergeant Major was commissioned
Battalion Adjutant with rank of First Lieutenant, and assigned
to the First Battalion, commanded by Major Thomas Jefferson
George, of Menomonie. Samuel E. Grout, of Eau Claire, was the
Battalion Sergeant Major.
ASSIGNMENT TO BATTALIONS.
In the State organization the regiment was divided into three
battalions, and companies were grouped on geographical lines
as far as possible. They took their numerical designations from
the rank of their Majors. The same assignments and designations
continued in the United States service, as follows:
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 227
First Battalion. Second Battalion. Third Battalion.
E— Eau Claire. B— La Crosse. A — Neillsville.
C — Hudson. K — Tomali. D — Mauston.
H — Menomonie L — Sparta. F — Portage.
I — Superior. M — La Crosse. G — Wausau.
May 13 formal orders were received for the regiment to move
on Saturday, May 14. Their designation was Camp Thomas,
Chickamauga Park, Ga. Friday was spent in packing up and
saying good-bye to friends. Saturday morning bright and early
the camp was astir and baggage hauled to the train. At 3:30
o'clock the first section pulled out. The regiment moved in
three sections. Colonel Moore, Major George and Major Kircheis,
respectively, in charge of sections. In the second section, under
Major George, were about five hundred men, being companies
of B, C, E, H, I and M. Chicago was reached after dark and
some time passed in switching in and about the stock yards.
It was well along in the night before the train pulled away
for the Southland.
Sunday morning dawned on the regiment making its way
through Indiana. At every station the troops were greeted by
large crowds. The season was well advanced over that of Wis-
consin. The ladies were out in summer frocks and bright colors.
The grass was green and foliage well out. Leaving Indiana the
regiment passed through Kentucky and into Tennessee. At
Nashville they found Quartermaster Sergeant Ludington await-
ing them. He had left the first section and reported a pleasing
compliment paid the regiment by an officer of the regular army.
For some time the first section stood in the Nashville depot.
After they had pulled out an officer of the army, noticing Ser-
geant Ludington, inquired of him what regiment had just pulled
out. The Sergeant reported it was the Third Wisconsin, to
which the officer replied, "No, it was some regular army regi-
ment. No volunteer regiment carried itself as the regiment
which just left." The Sergeant, however, convinced him it was
the Third Wisconsin.
Monday morning. May 16, tlie regiment found itself in Chat-
tanooga and after several hours on the road reached Lytic, the
detraining station for Camp Thomas. Between Chattanooga and
Lytle they had their first view of Lookout Mountain. The First
Battalion under Major George was quickly vmder way after
detraining and was conducted by a guide to the Kelley Field,
where they were instructed to await the arrival of the remainder
228 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
of the regiment. While the battalion was resting on the field
they first met their Brigade Commander, General Andrew S.
Burt. The General, alone and dismounted, came out from under
the shade and approached Lieutenant Cousins. He wore a plain
service uniform, showing considerable wear, and was close up
to the Battalion Adjutant before that officer discovered the stars
on the shoulder straps. The General hardly waited for the
formal salute, but stepped forward and extended his hand, in-
troducing himself, remarked, "Possibly the order has not yet
reached you, but I have the lionor to be your Brigade Commander.
My name is Burt."
General Andrew S. Burt had for many years been Colonel
of the 25th Infantry, colored, and had made a soldierly, well-
disciplined body of men out of that regiment. He was one of
the first officers in the regular service promoted to Brigadier
General of Volunteers. He had a long and splendid record
and the Third Infantry of Wisconsin was pleased to be assigned
to his brigade. General Burt also expressed pleasure at having
the Wisconsin men assigned to him.
Grounds for the camp were assigned to the regiment just
oft' the Kelley Field. Streets were mapped out, all facing north.
Baggage was very late in arriving and many of the companies
were unable to put up their tents before night fall. Major
George's tent and that of his Adjutant were but a few feet
from the monument of the First Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry,
where they did severe fighting on September 23, 1863. There
were other monuments in all directions.
The camp was very well shaded and ground level. The Kelley
Field, just to the west of the camp, furnished fine opportunity
for drilling and parade. There were also fine grounds to the
east of the camp in the woods, and here the battalion drilled
during the stay at Camp Thomas in the battle exercises.
On Tuesday evening the 17th, the Third put on evening
parade on the historical Kelley Field and the exercises attracted
a number of spectators.
The regiment began daily drills, but during the mid-day hours,
ten to four o'clock, owing to the heat, to which the men were
unaccustomed, Colonel Moore ordered a general rest.
Friday, May 20, unwelcome news reached the regiment that
General Burt, to whom they had become much attached, had
been transferred and ordered to Tampa. The command of the
brigade devolved upon Colonel C. B. Hunt, of the First Ohio
Volunteer Infantry.
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 229
Sunday, May 22, occurred the first death in the regiment,
that of Private Charles Eck, of E Company. He had been re-
ported sick on Saturday and died at 4:20 Sunday morning.
Captain Ballard was with him at the time of his death. The
body was removed during the day and later interred in the
National Cemetery at Chattanooga. Private Eck was one of
those who had joined the company at the call for troops and
his death was deeply regretted by all his comrades.
Monday, May 23, a division review was held in the morning.
Fifty-four hundred men passed the reviewing officer. The Third
Wisconsin and the Sixteenth Pennsylvania were pronounced the
best appearing regiments.
Wednesday, May 25, a battle exercise was held. The division
took part in the exercise. The first battalion of the Third
marched to Snodgrass Hill, where they took post, and later
under orders fell back towards McFarlane's Gap. This was the
ground over which Wisconsin troops fought in September, 1863.
Evening parade was before General James II. Wilson, who re-
viewed the regiment following parade.
May 27 the regiment was vaccinated from the Colonel down
and many sore arms were the result for some days. Some of
the men, after passing the surgeons themselves, found much
amusement in watching the others wliile the surgeons were per-
forming their task upon them. Sonu^ nu'u would walk up with-
out a flinch or change of expression and smile while the virus
was being applied. Others showed the greatest concern and
several fainted.
May 28, through the Chattanooga papers, the pleasing in-
formation reached the regiment that their long-time friend, Cap-
tain Charles King, had been named by President McKinley for
Brigadier General of Volunteers. Major George's battalion
Avired him their congratulations. This day was taken up with
a tiresome, thorough inspection of equipment. Late in the after-
noon General Charles R. Boardman arrived from Jacksonville.
He represented Governor Seofield and presented new commis-
sions made out on parchment. The regiment paraded before
him. He was much pleased with the inspections reports on the
Wisconsin troops.
On Monday, May 30, the regiment assembled about the First
Wisconsin monument at 10:30 and held Memorial day services.
Addresses were made by Colonel Moore and the Chaplain. Never
before did the men of the regiment so fully appreciate the mean-
ing of the day. On this historical spot the First Wisconsin and
230 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
the Tenth Wisconsin, on September 19 and 20, 1863, rendered
valiant service for the Union cause. The Tenth "Wisconsin monu-
ment shows a full-size figure of a soldier made to represent the
brave Lieutenant Colonel John A. Ely, whose regiment was
driven back across the ground now occupied by the Third In-
fantry camp to the LaFayette road beyond the old Kelley Field.
Colonel Ely fell at daybreak on September 20. Out of the 240
men of the Tenth Infantry engaged, the total loss was 211 killed
and wounded.
June 1 a rumor reached the camp the Third would in all
probability be ordered to the Philippines, but nothing further
was heard concerning such an order. Several years afterwards
it was learned it had been seriously considered by the authorities
and it was probably only a rule established many years previ-
ously by a division commander that prevented the Tliird from
going to the Philippines in General King's brigade.
Had battalion drill on June 2, Captain Ballard of E Company
commanded. He was the senior captain of the battalion as well
as of the regiment, and at frequent intervals during the absence
or sickness of Major George Captain Ballard was in command.
He was fully competent to handle the battalion and reflected
credit not only upon himself but his company.
On June 3, Colonel Moore was in command of the brigade
owing to the absence of Colonel Culver, of the Fifth Illinois,
and Colonel Hunt, of Ohio. The brigade was reviewed by Colonel
Moore in the evening.
Large detail from the regiment engaged June 8 and 9 in
building bath houses. Captain Hommel, of A Company, took
charge of this work and made the plans, and by the use of
canvas partitions a very serviceable row of bath houses was
erected in the woods east of the camp. The pipes supplying
the water to the baths were placed very near the surface of the
ground and the hot sun heated the water to a point where it
was scalding when the showers were turned on. However the
baths were exceedingly popular and served their purpose well.
June 9 orders were received to recruit the companies to 106
men and a Lieutenant from each battalion and a noncommis-
sioned officer from each company were detailed to go to the
home stations for this purpose. Lieutenant Hiram Nye, First
Lieutenant C Company, Hudson, went from the First Battalion,
together with Sergeants Horace L. Whittier, of E Company,
Eau Claire ; Milton F. Swant, of H Company, Menomonie ; Charles
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 231
W. Newton, of I Company, Superior, and Alfred P. Goss, of C
Company, Hudson.
On the 11th a division review was hold. The Third Wis-
consin was the first regiment to pass and had the opportunity
of seeing the other regiments march by.
On June 15 an order came from headquarters directing that
a Lieutenant from each company not already represented at
home stations be sent on recruiting service at once. Lieutenant
Cochrane, of E Company, was sent on this duty to Eau Claire.
On this day General O. H. Ernest assumed command of the
brigade. The Third is in the First Brigade, First Division, First
Army Corps. Colonel Hunt, of the First Ohio, had been in
command since the departure of General Burt.
Sunday, June 26, orders were received to prepare to move
at once. Twelve regiments, it was announced, would probably
go. The First Kentucky was dropped from the First Brigade
and the Eighth Massachusetts took its place.
This day arrived the E Company recruits. The names appear
elsewhere in this article, following the names of the original
muster roll. The rookies were given a hearty welcome by the
veterans of the company.
Friday, July 1, was a welcome day, as Major Doyan paid off
the regiment in crisp new bills. The Major was a Wisconsin
man.
July 8, Sunday, just after parade, received an order to pre-
pare to start at any moment for the front.
Independence Day was a day of rush and uncertainty. It
opened with a salute by the Ohio battery in honor of the birth
of the nation. The regimental commissary had gone to the
depot at live o'clock to draw travel rations in accordance with
orders. There the commissary found orders which directed the
issue be withheld until three o'clock. In the meantime the regi-
ment was breaking camp and preparing for the march to the
trains. Shortly after three came an order directing the remak-
ing of the camp and putting up of tents. It had been expected
the regiment would march to Ringgold at eight in the evening.
It was a disgusted and tired regiment at sundown.
Early July 5 the commissary again reported for rations and
after hours of delay the travel ration was issued. Again came
the order to pack up and march to Ringgold. At three o'clock
the regiment swung into the road for the twelve-mile march to
the waiting trains.
232 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
The recruits who joined in June had not been fully equipped
or drilled and were left behind. They numbered about twenty
in each company, or two hundred and forty in all. Major
George, of the First Battalion, was left in command of the re-
cruits and Captain Ballard, of E Company, commanded the bat-
talion. Among other officers left behind was the popular, able
and soldierly First Lieutenant of I Company, William H. Smith.
Major Jeff and Billy Smith, as they were popularly called by
their fellow officers, with tear-dimmed eyes watched the de-
parture of the regiment.
The march led through a beautiful country and the regiment
was heartily greeted by the wayside, excepting in one instance.
In this ease an unreconstructed rebel paraded his premises with
an old musket over his shoulder, shouting threats of destruction
upon the marching column. At one point a group of pretty
girls came out with buckets of cooling drinks for officers and
men. Ringgold was reached about dark and the regiment quickly
entrained in three sections and was away for the coast.
Wednesday morning found the trains in Atlanta and all that
day they were traveling from Atlanta to the sea. The train
service was slow and a number of breakdowns of the engines
occurred. It was not until the morning of Friday, July 7, the
regiment reached Charleston. After considerable delay the
Third was assigned to its barracks, which were the old ware-
houses on the docks, and into these they quickly moved. From
the docks could be seen Fort Sumter, and two torpedo boats
were anchored but a few rods from the docks. Down the bay
were two recently captured Spanish prizes. On Friday, July 8,
the day following arrival, the regiment marched through the
city to Marion Square and there held evening parade just back
of the heroic statue of John C. Calhoun and between the statue
and the South Carolina Military Academy. This academy had
been an institution of learning previous to the Civil War and
when Charleston fell was taken by the Federal troops, who
maintained a large garrison there for several years.
The people and officials of Charleston extended a hearty wel-
come to the troops. Every courtesy was shown them. Mer-
chants sold the soldiers at cost price. Committees of ladies
visited the organizations with a view to giving attention to the
sick. They advised the city hospitals would care for those men
the surgeons thought needed such care. The mayor of Charles-
ton supplied each regiment with one thousand pounds of ice
daily. Many invitations from citizens to officers and men for
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 233
meals were extended. All clubs were thrown open to ofiScers.
The people of Charleston did what they could to make the stay
of the troops pleasant and comfortable.
Thursday, July 14, came the news of the surrender of San-
tiago. "When the regiment left Camp Thomas it was intended
to rush it through to Santiago for the reinforcement of General
Shafter, who had called for additional troops. In the mean-
time, however, General Miles had gone into Santiago and quickly
brought the Spaniards to terms. It was now announced the
Third would go to Puerto Rico in an expedition under command
of General Miles. The work of loading began on the 13th, and
officers slept on board that night. Throughout the night a large
force was engaged in coaling and loading. Ma.ior George and
Lieutenant Smith, with the recruits left at Camp Thomas, arrived
and were given a hearty welcome. Lieutenant Smith at once
took command of the Superior Company, it having been with-
out officers for several days. Captain Newton and Lieutenant
Swift both being sick in the hospital.
On the morning of the l-4th, orders came to unload. The
same condition of indecision appeared to prevail as just before
the regiment left Camp Thomas. A fire in the hold of the vessel
during the day burned a part of the bedding rolls belonging to
officers, but did no other damage.
July 15 the orders were first to load and then to unload.
This was repeated several times.
On Satui'day, July Hi, tlu' n-onnent was ordered out for one
of the |H-;irti<M- iiiai-i'hcs which m-rasioned so much comment in
the Wisconsin papers, ^lany meii fell out during the march
and some were very ill after being taken back, to the barracks.
The day was particularly hot and very few of the men were
properly prepared for a long march. Some had eaten little or
no breakfasts and for some distance the line of march lay through
tlie city.
Another sucli march was taken on Monday, the 18th, over a
different route, and while some men fell out the number was
not as great as on Saturday. On Monday's marcli the column
crossed a long bridge, which swayed, and the motion caused
several men to become sick.
These marches caused much criticism in Wisconsin and the
brigade and division commanders were severely censured. Gov-
ernor Scofield demanded an investigation by the war department.
The marches were severe and uncalled for, but a few weeks
later the regiment thought nothing of making considerably longer
234 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
marches under worse conditions, without a man falling out or
grumbling. Had these marches been made to meet an enemy-
there would have been no falling out. As it was, the men
were heartily tired of the indecision and uncertainty as to move-
ments. They were anxious to be in Spanish territory. Time
and time again had the boat been loaded and then unloaded.
Just before the march began, a rumor came the regiment was
to go up the coast several miles and go into a bivouac camp for
a couple of weeks. The disappointment, and the failure to prop-
erly prepare themselves for the march were largely responsible
for the unfortunate results.
On the 19th again they were loading. Men worked all night
of the 18th-19th, loading the transportation into Transport No.
21. About five o'clock on the 20th the men were ordered aboard
the Obdam. This was a freighter which had been purchased by
the government. Its official title was "Transport No. 30, Quar-
termaster's Department, U. S. A." It was illy fitted for car-
rying a large body of men. All the afternoon thousands of
citizens had been crowding the dock and at six o'clock the
Obdam pushed off, the regimental band playing national airs
and men and citizens wildly cheei-ing. Just beyond Sumter
anchor was dropped for the night.
Eleven companies of the Third traveled on the Obdam. one
company being detached and sent on No. 21 with the transpor-
tation. The officers' horses were carried on the Obdam. General
Wilson and staff traveled with the Third and General Ernst
and staff with the Second, which was on the "Grand Duchess."
Early on the morning of July 21 the Charleston bar was crossed
and the troops were on their way to Puerto Rico.
July 25 land was sighted in the afternoon about four o'clock.
It was expected to meet a warship at this point. None, how-
ever, was in sight. At dark all lights were ordered out and the
Obdam cruised at half speed in a circle throughout the night.
During the night, out of the darkness, came "The Wasp." Great
consternation and fright was caused by her searchlight being
suddenly thrown on the boat. She had come up with all lights
out and discovered tke Obdam before the lookout on that boat
knew another boat was anywhere about. The searchlight came
through the blackness like a shaft of fire.
Orders were then received to proceed to Guanico, where Gen-
eral Miles had effected a landing the day before.
The Obdam proceeded under full steam and about daylight
was met by a warship, the Columbia. This great fighting ma-
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 235
ehiue looked decidedly grim in the morning light. She wore
lier battle garb of bluish-gray paint and was stripped for action.
Cxuided by the Columbia, the Obdam made its way into the
beautiful, tranquil harbor. Here a glorious view unfolded itself
to the interested soldiers. They were not allowed to disembark
and after an interval again steamed out into deeper water, where
they came to anchor. The Massachusetts, in all her grim glory,
lay but a few rods away.
At daylight, July 28, Thursday, the naval vessels and trans-
ports were on their way to Ponce. Accompanying the Obdam
were the Massachusetts and the cruisers Gloucester and Dixie.
Orders were given to disembark and the Third Infantry was
given the honor of leading the way. The shallow harbor made
it necessary to use lighters and the ships were anchored at a
considerable distance from the shore. Major George, First Bat-
talion, was given the lead, and Captain Ballard, with E Com-
pany, entered the first lighter, which was slowly propelled
towards the shore. The men were in readiness to fight for a
landing. As the ships came to anchor they were surrounded by
small boats containing natives cheering for the "Americanos,"
hut on the dock could be seen many men in uniform. These,
from the ships, resembled soldiers. It was found later, how-
ever, they were members of the Ponce fire department. Their
red shirts made them very conspicuous. They were there to
welcome and not repel. Captain Ballard landed without resist-
ance and was directed by General Miles, who had run in ahead
of the lighter in a launch, to take immediate possession of the
custom house. The other companies were disembarked as rap-
idly as possible. Before landing of the troops the civil authori-
ties, through the foreign representatives, had surrendered the
city to the naval officers. The gai'rison had withdrawn and was
fleeing down the military road in the direction of Coamo. The
story of the surrender and the lauding of the troops is told in
the La Nueva Era, a newspaper published at Ponce, in the issue
of July 30, ]898. The paper was printed principally in the
Spanish language, but a few columns gave the account of the
landing of the troops in English, and it is quoted herewith:
"On the 27th inst., at 2 p. m., a fleet approaching the port
was signalled from the signal hill, and truly from all the roofs
and points of vantage of the city could be seen three ships near-
ing our harbor at great speed, of which two were apparently
transports and the other a tug. It did not take them long to
come into port and anchor. After a while a boat was seen to
236 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
leave the side of one of the ships bearing a white flag, reached
the shore shortly afterwards with an officer, who on landing bent
his steps to the captain of the port's office in search of the mili-
tary commander of the town, for M'hom he had a despatch.
"The captain of the port answered him that he had no mili-
tary jurisdiction and sent for the military commander, residing
up town here, to take delivery of the despatch brought by said
officer. At about this time a small volunteer force got into posi-
tion near the custom house, and the two companies of the regu-
lars, which on the first alarm of the approach of the American
fleet had been ordered to the port, were stationed on the road
leading from here to the harbor. With the latter forces came
the late military commander of this district. Colonel Sanmartin.
"On the latter being informed that there was an Amei-ican
officer bearing, under flag of truce, a despatch for him, he replied
that without direct authority from the governor general he could
not receive it. On getting this reply the American officer in-
formed the captain of the port that he would give half an hour's
grace for the military commander to come and take delivery of
the despatch.
"In the meantime Sanmartin bad come up town and liad a
conference with the governor genei-al by wire, laying before him
the state of affairs. But as the hour fixed by the American
officer was drawing to its close, and he threatened to return on
board with the despatch inidelivered, two members of the coun-
sular body — Messrs. F. M. Toro, British vice consul, and P. J.
Rosaly, vice consul of the Netherlands — went down to the port
together with our mayor — Mr. R. U. Colom — and one of our
citizens — Mr. P. J. Fournier — with the object of requesting an
extension of the time fixed by the officer to await the reply of
the governor general.
"It seems that the latter "s answer to the military commander
was that he should do his duty ; by which, we suppose, he implied
that resistance should be made, in spite of the immense superior-
ity of the invading forces and of the fleet, which, by this time,
had increased by the arrival of several vessels more. As the
American commander grew impatient at the non-return of the
first boat sent ashore, they sent another, bringing two officers
and a squad of soldiers, who bore with them the American flag
and two rockets for signalling, we presume, in case of need.
Said officers with the squad and flag advanced as far as the very
door of captain of the port's office; but the British vice consul
requested that the soldiers should witlidraw to the seashore, the
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 237
officer with Old Glory, etc., remaining, however, at the door of
the building. The consular and other officers entered the build-
ing. They were there received by the captain of the port, who,
by the way, was dressed in a soiled white drill suit without any
insignia to denote his rank. The German vice consul — Mr. H. C.
Fritze — joined his colleagues of England and the Netherlands in
their good offices in the matter, together with the American mer-
chant, Mr. Lucas Valliviese.
"Said consuls began to work to bring about the surrender of
the town (which had been demanded at discretion), in their
desire to avoid bloodshed and damage to the town, as the Spanish
forces were insignificant, compared with tliose of the United
States and besides the Spaniards having no defensive works or
artillery to answer the fire of the fleet. At about 10 p. m. it was
rumored that an armistice had been arranged, in virtue of which
the Spanish forces would evacuate the town and that the Ameri-
can troops would not laud within a stipulated time to allow the
former forces to get well on their way to Aibonito. It was re-
ported that this arrangement was firm and the people began to
treat more freely about the peaceful solution of the conflict.
But unhappily their joy was of short duration as — about 1 a. m.
— it began to be noised about that the governor general had de-
posed the military commander, Sanmartin, ordering him to give
up the command to the lieutenant-colonel of the Civil Guards,
instructing the latter to offer resistance to the invading forces.
"On this becoming known the alarm was great among all
classes, and the exodus to the neighboring country, which had
already begun in the afternoon and evening, was immense, ap-
proaching nearly to a panic. But the vice consuls continued
their labors to obtain that the armistice arranged with Colonel
Sanmartin by them should be respected and kept in good faith,
and the representative of England and Germany protested
against its being broken and brought to bear on the negotiations
all the weight that their nations represent.
"The lieutenant-colonel of the Civil Guard, on his part, seeing
the impossibility of resistance to the powerful fleet of the enemy,
which had been reinforced by several ships more, with the means
he had at his disposal, decided at length to evacuate the town,
retiring with all the forces under his command, by the road
leading to the interior of the island.
"As soon as this decision was arrived at the retreat began,
but not before attempting to set fire to the railroad station, in
which they only succeeded in burning a few cars. But even after
238 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
the retreat there was anxiety among the inhabitants, as it was
reported that the powder magazine of the barracks would be
blown up before the Spaniards left the town definitely ; we arc
happy to say that this did not happen.
"The town was left in charge of the local first brigade, who
undertook the duty of keeping order, but their services were not
called upon that night, nor have been since, as not the slightest
disturbance has taken place. Ponce gave proofs of its good sense
as usual. At daybreak the next morning a half dozen men of
the American forces hoisted the Stars and Stripes on the custom
house together with the headquarters' flag of the commander in
chief. Later the flag was unfurled over the town hall.
"The lauding of the troops began and were distributed about
in accordance with instructions of the American commanders.
The people welcomed the American forces as liberators and
friends and with the greatest demonstrations of joy and hearti-
ness.
"The commander of the expeditionary forces decided that the
municipal and judicial authorities should remain at their post
as well as the local police and the employees of the custom house,
which latter is in charge of Colonel Hill, appointed inspector of
the port and customs. The American troops have entered this
town with the greatest order and are fraternizing with the people.
Said troops later relieved the firemen at guard duty at the city
prison and other places.
"The political prisoners have been set at liberty and among
them our friends, Messrs. Santiago Geraldino, Rudolfo Figueroa,
Jose Hilaria Roche and others. We heartily congratulate them
all. The inhabitants that had gone into the country have gradu-
ally begun to return to town, in which the greatest order prevails.
"At the town hall there took place an incident worthy of
mention. Mr. Figueroa, who had been just set free, went up to
the Seasions hall and unslinging the portrait of the queen regent
with the king and the crown which overtopped them, attempted
to throw them over the balcony, saying : ' There go the remnants
of Spanish domination. ' But an American officer who was pres-
ent interfered in a friendly, way, requesting that said picture
and crown should be given him as a historical niemento of the
occasion, which request was immediately granted."
Notice. "To this office has been brought a hat belonging to
one of the guards of the army at present in the city. It is
marked R. J. Bilie, Fort Wingate, N. M. We hold same at the
disposal of said guard."
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 239
After landing, the troops were surrounded by frantic natives,
shouting, laughing, waving flags and crying "Viva Americanos!
Viva Americanos!"
An orderly from General Roy Stone, of the army, reported
a short time after Major George had landed, to that officer, with
a message from General Stone requesting a detail be sent to him
at the railway depot in the city. The orderly reported General
Stone, with two or three staif officers and orderlies, had gone
into the city and found the Spaniards had evacuated. The Gen-
ei-al desired the escort for which he sent to accompany a train
he was making up to proceed to Yauco. Before leaving, con-
trary to pledges given the authorities, the Spanish troops had
attempted to burn the depot and rolling stock and disable the
locomotives. The fire department had saved the depot and most
of the ears. Mechanics soon made the locomotives available for
use.
Major George directed Captain Ballard to detail a Lieutenant
and seventeen men from his company to proceed to the station
and report to General Stone. The detail was made up as follows :
Corporal Bartlett, Corporal Bailey, Privates Carroll, Kelley,
Harry Fowler, Curry, Eldridge, Watson, Holberg, Nichols, Cal-
vert, Ilibbard, Charles Johnson, Rohn, McKinnon, Van Wagenan,
Samuels.
The city of Yauco had been in possession of American troops
for several days. None of the enemy were encountered on the
trip. The train proceeded with caution, but found efforts to
destroy the track had failed.
A sensational and fabulous story was sent back from the
island of the capture of Yauco by this detachment of E Com-
pany, and many of the men were greatly annoyed that such a
story should have been published.
About noon Major George, witli Companies 11, Captain Ohn-
stad, and I, Captain Newton, marched into the city and took
possession of the barracks. This was a very fine building, built
of concrete, located in a plaza, and was capable of housing a
regiment. It had been occupied up to five o'clock on the morn-
ing of the 28th, by the 25th Infantry of the Spanish Army.
Everything in the barracks was in confusion. In the officers'
quarters clothing and articles of personal property were strewn
about everywhere. Evidently they had picked out the valuables
but abandoned all else in their haste to get a change of air.
The coiirtyard was surrounded by a high stone wall. A ladder
against this wall showed that some had departed by this route
24U HISTORY OF BAU CLAIRE COUNTY
rather than to lose the time to go around by the gate. Before
leaving they had set fire to the magazine, which stood in one
corner of the courtyard, but a detachment of the fire department
had extinguished this blaze.
In the office of the Commandant, Adjutant Cousins found,
among other papers, a communication written in Spanish, ad-
dressed to the commanders of detachments at other points, giving
the plan for the defense of the islands. It was intended all
troops should, after a resistance, gradually drop back, avoiding
decisive engagements, but retard the American advances as
much as possible until San Juan was reached. Here they pro-
posed to annihilate Uncle Sam's men. This communication was
forwarded by Major George to General Wilson.
A large number of machetes and other weapons were found
in the barracks, together with ammunition. Some of this am-
munition created comment, as the balls appeared to be brass
jacketed. A considerable quantity of rations was also captured.
The hard bread was a great contrast to that in use by the Ameri-
cans. It was made up in round disks about the size of an Amer-
ican pie and five-eighths inch in thickness. To all appearances it
made an excellent food and certainly looked appetizing, being
nicely browned.
H and I Companies remained at the barracks for several
days. C Company, of Major George's battalion, was on out-
posts to the west of the city. E Company was left at the port.
Colonel Moore, with other companies of the regiment, estab-
lished a camp north of the city on the road leading towards
San Juan.
The road from the port to the city is along a beautiful high-
way. On both sides the luxuriant growth of tropical vegetation
appealed to the eye. In all directions could be seen the flags of
France, England, Holland and other European countries. A cele-
bration was quickly organized by the citizens.
To show their pleasure many engaged in festooning trees
and the streets with strips of paper. These strips were put up
in goodly-sized rolls and the rolls could be throwai over tree
branches and across streets. In many of the yards foliage was
largely concealed by this form of decoration.
Most of the places of business in the city were closed and
the windows protected by heavy wooden shutters. Many of
the merchants and wealthier class had sent the ladies and chil-
dren out of the city, expecting bombardment and a battle be-
tween the Spanish troops and the Americans for possession. The
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 241
Spaniards, for a long time, had industriously circulated reports
of the villainies committed by the American soldiers and many
of the natives stood in fear of the treatment they might receive.
This feeling of fear quickly passed.
A brief sketch of the island of Puerto Rico and the landing
of General Miles will not come amiss at this point.
PORTO RICO.
The island of Porto Rico was discovered in 1493 and from
that day until 1898 was under Spanish rule. It is one hundred
and eight miles in length and about forty miles wide. It is a
most healthful and delightful country, with mountain ranges
and many streams. In area it is about thirty-six hundred square
miles and the population in 1898 was computed at 800,000. It
is fourth in rank, according to size, of the Greater Antilles group,
but in prosperity and density of population it is first. The
white population was claimed to outnumber the black. In few
of the tropical islands was this the case. The commercial capital
and largest city is Ponce, situated three miles inland from the
port of the same name on the southern coast. The city rests
on a rich plain, sui'roiuided by gardens and plantations. There
are hot springs in the vicinity which are much frequented by
invalids. At the port are extensive depots where products from
tlie interior are stored for shipment. There were no docks and
sliips were loaded and imloaded by means of lighters. The last
enumeration gave to Ponce the population of 37,545, while San
Juan, the capital on the north coast, had a population of 23,414.
In Ponce are a number of fine buildings, among them being a
town hall, theater, two churches, the Charity and the Women's
Asylum, the barracks, the Cuban House and the market. The
road connecting the city and the port was a beautiful promenade.
Besides Ponce and San Juan, the largest towns were Arecibo,
30,000; Utuado, 31,000; Mayaguez, 28,000; San German, 20,000;
Yaueo, 25,000; Juana Diaz, 21,000; and there were reported to
be ten other towns with population of 15,000 or over. Nearly
half the population lived in the larger towns, where there were
many fine residences.
Porto Rico had been more lightly touched by Spanish rule
than other provinces. Internal improvements had been inaugu-
rated. There were nearly one hundred and fifty miles of rail-
road. This Avas narrow gauge and skirted about the coast. A
system of particularly fine military roads connected Ponce and
San Juan with some of the other larger cities.
242 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
In times of peace the island abounded in sugar, coffee, tobacco,
honey, wax and fruits. A large part of the trade had been with
the United States. The entire island is said to be rich in natural
resources and very healthful.
The capital, San Juan, was the best fortified city of Porto
Rico, occupying there the relative position that Havana occupied
in Cuba. When General Miles started on his expedition the
expectation was it would effect a landing at Fajardo, on the
northeastern coast. After this ostensible purpose had been well
published the convoys and transports changed their course,
swung around the east of the island and suddenly arrived off
the harbor of Guanica on the southwestern coast at daylight on
the morning of July 25.
A small Spanish garrison in a blockhouse on the beach was
utterly surprised when Commander Wainwright, of the Glouces-
ter, ran into the beautiful little harbor and opened fire with
small guns. The Spaniards attempted to reply, but were soon
driven off and a party of marines landed and hoisted the Ameri-
can flag over the blockhouse, the stars and stripes taking the
place of the flag of Spain, which was first raised 405 years
before. No Americans were injured, but the Spanish lost several
killed and wounded. The 3,500 troops of this expedition were
landed in the forenoon without difficulty. The Guanica harbor
is the best in the island. East of Guanica are the towns Yauco
and Ponce, the former not more than five miles distance and
connected with Ponce by railroad.
Marching on Yauco on the 26th, there was a skirmish with
the enemy in which the Americans had four men wounded and
the Spaniards lost sixteen killed and wounded. When General
Miles' troops entered Yauco they were received with enthusiasm
and joy, not unmixed, however, with some anxiety. The Alcalde,
or Mayor, Francisco Megia, had issued in advance of the troops,
a proclamation which accepted annexation to the United States
as an accomplished fact: '
Citizens: Today the citizens of Porto Rico assist in one of
her most beautiful festivals. The sun of America shines upon
our mountains and valleys this day of July, 1898. It is a day
of glorious remembrance for each son of this beloved isle, be-
cause for the first time there waves over it the flag of the Stars,
planted in the name of the government of the United States of
America by the Major General of tlie American army, General
Miles.
Porto Ricans, we are, by the miraculous intervention of the
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 243
God of the just, giveu back to the bosom of our mother America,
in whose waters nature placed us as people of America. To her
we are given back, in the name of her government, by General
Miles, and we must send her our most expressive salutation of
generous affection through our conduct toward the valiant troops
represented by distinguished officers and commanded by the illus-
trious General Miles.
Citizens : Long live the government of the United States of
America ! Hail to their valiant troops ! Ilail, Porto Rico, always
American !
Yauco, Porto Rico, United States of America.
The 29th, 30th and 31st of Jidy were passed quietly. Men
and officers alike, when opportunity offered, were looking about
the historic old city and viewing with great interest the moun-
tains in which lay the enemy.
Before daylight on the morning of August 1, E Company,
wliich had been relieved from duty at the customs house by
General Miles, went on outpost. Adjutant Cousins this day made
an arrest of a private of the 16th Pennsylvania Regiment, whom
he found trying to pass a worthless Confederate due bill for
$300.00 on a merchant. The culprit was turned over to the
Provost Marshal, who happened to be his own company com-
mander. The prisoner attempted to bribe the Adjutant by offer-
ing to give him the due bill. This incident is mentioned, as
later it became a matter of considerable official agitation. The
man came from a prominent family and was one of the leaders
in Y. M. C. A. and Sunday school work when home. His regi-
mental commander. Colonel Hulings, of the 16th Pennsylvania,
and even an officer superior in rank to him, at different intei'-
views suggested Adjutant Cousins withdraw his chafges against
the prisoner. This the Adjutant would not do, as the man, when
first arrested, had claimed to be a Wisconsin man.
During the stay in the Ponce camp the old Springfield rifles
with which the regiment were equipped at the time of their
muster into the volunteer service, were replaced by the new
Krag. This was a magazine rifle and entirely unfamiliar to
most of the men. It is a far superior rifle to the old Springfield,
being lighter, equipped with magazine, and more powerful.
Second Lieutenant John E. Barron was taken sick during the
stay at Ponce and left in hospital when the command marched
into the interior. Later he came on to Coamo, but after a few
days was sent with other sick soldiers back to Ponce, and did
not again join the company until the return to Eau Claire.
244 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
On Sunday, August 7, at 7 a. m., the regiment marched towards
the interior along the San Juan road. This is a beautiful macad-
amized road. There are several hundred miles of such roads
on the island. They are known as the military roads and were
built and kept in repair by the Government. The regiment
passed through the city of Juana Diaz about noon. The Mayor
met Colonel Moore outside of the city, extending a welcome to
the American troops and made the request the band play during
passage through the city. An enthusiastic welcome was extended
by the citizens. At three o'clock the regiment went into camp,
having marched about twelve miles. This camp was about five
miles from the enemy's lines. On August 8, men were given an
opportunity for a little practice with the new rifles. At noon
the regiment, in light marching order, advanced about three
miles and again went into camp. All extra baggage, together
with the sick, were left behind, with the band as a guard.
Camp was made in front of Coama, within striking distance
of the Spanish troops. K Company, of Tomah, Captain Warren,
was put on outpost to the front.
The main military road from Ponce to San Juan, along which
the brigade had been advancing, becomes quite tortuous before
reaching Coamo, but has a general northeasterly direction enter-
ing the town. About two miles from Coamo it is joined by the
road from Santa Isabel, an excellent macadamized highway. Be-
fore its junction with the Santa Isabel road it crosses, by an
arch of masonry, a deep gorge with very precipitous sides.
The town lies upon a plateau on the right bank of the Coamo
river and well above its level, surrounded by high hills. It is
in the foothills of the main ridge of the island, and the sur-
rounding country is rough. According to the best information
obtainable it was occiipied by about 400 Spanish troops well
intrenched, and resistance was expected. A small blockhouse
of corrugated iron on the Santa Isabel road was occupied by
an infantry outpost, which had frequently fired upon our recon-
noitering parties. The exact location of the other defenses was
not known.
A trail had been discovered practicable for infantry, by which
a force leaving the main road well to the southwest of Coamo
could, by a wide detour, reach the road again in rear of the
town.
The main body of the brigade, consisting of the Third Wis-
consin Infantry (Colonel Moore), the Second Wisconsin Infan-
try (Colonel Born), Battery F, Third United States Artillery
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 245
(Captain Potts) aud Battery B, Fourth United States Artillery
(Captain Anderson), the two batteries being under the command
of Major J. M. Lancaster, Fourth Artillery, was in camp about
two miles nearer Coamo, to which camp it had advanced that day.
The division commander was present with the troops and
directed their movements. With a view to capturing the gar-
rison, he directed that one regiment he sent by the mountain
trail above mentioned to the rear of the town, and that the front
attack be deferred until this regiment could reach its position.
The Sixteenth Pennsylvania Infantry was selected for the
turning movement. It left its camp, 650 strong, at 5:15 p. m.,
August 8, and under the guidance of Lieutenant Colonel Biddle,
marched six miles and then went into bivouac. At 6 a. m.,
August 9, the two other regiments of the brigade and four guns
of Captain Anderson's battery left their camps to take position
for the front advance upon the town.
The Third Wisconsin Infantry, 788 strong, was sent to the
right, with orders to cross the Coamo river and advance on the
Santa Isabel road until the latter should reach the river, then
to leave the road and advance up the left bank of the river.
While it was moving to its position, fire was opened upon the
blockhouse with the four guns of Captain Anderson's battery.
An advance on the city by any other route than the pikes
is next to impossible. Three roads lead into the city, one from
the southwest, connecting with Ponce ; one from the northeast,
connecting with San Juan, and the Santa Isabel road from the
south. These were all military turnpikes, and streams were
crossed by substantial iron and cement bridges, or, in ease of
smaller streams, reinforced cement bridges.
From the block house above mentioned the Spanish troops
had a clear range of the valley leading towards the city.
K Company, Captain Warren, had been on outpost through-
out the night. K, together Avith G Company, Captain Abraham,
was now posted on the high hills commanding the San Juan
road and had a full view of the block house and the city.
At four o'clock in the morning a silent reveille was had.
The companies fell in and in light marching order, with only
rifles and belts, haversacks with one day's rations, and ponchos,
the regiment moved out to the position it was to occupy on the
firing line.
As the regiment advanced, Companies G and K were left
behind on outpost duty. A Company, Captain Ilommel, was
guarding the city of Juana Diaz and this left only nine com-
246 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
panies in the field. The Third Battalion, Major Richards, with
his two remaining companies, D, Captain Turner, and F, Captain
Lee, was assigned to lead the advance. Following him came
Major Kircheis, with three companies of the Second Battalion,
B, Captain Sehultz, M, Captain Peck, and L, Captain McCoy.
The advance began at 6 :30 and at 7 :05 the first shell from Lan-
caster's Battery was fired. At the third shot the gunners had
the range and the block house was set on fire. With the ad-
vance began the opening fire by the enemy. The deep tropical
grass almost concealed the Americans from view. The regiment
followed closely the skirmish line. The opening by the battery
started a lively battle. When the block house was fired by the
shells the Spanish retreated along the road back into the city.
Major Richards advanced the skirmishers towards the east and
reached the range of hills on which the Spanish outpost was
stationed. The Spaniards were firing thick and fast on the ad-
vancing men, but little could be done towards returning the
fire with small arms on account of the long, heavy grass. The
troops were advancing all along the line and met with many
natural obstacles, sucli as ravines, heavy growth of underbrush
and other obstructions. The cactus hedges caused more anxiety
than the whistling Spanish bullets. The line was still advancing
when infantry fire from the north was heard, making known the
Sixteenth Pennsylvania were engaged with the enemy north of
Coamo. Between the Third Wisconsin and the town was tlie
Coamo river. On the south side, where the regiment was de-
ployed, the bank was almost perpendicular. Colonel Moore
directed Lieutenant Holway and Lieutenant Cousins to make
effort to find a place where the column could pass down in order
to ford the river. After considerable search these officers found
a place where a path or opening down the bluif had been made.
This could only be used by lowering one's self by clinging to
grape vines. The signal was passed back to the regiment and
the men came down the grape vine ladder one at a time. Lieu-
tenants Holway and Cousins had moved on, forded the river
and struck a trail leading toward the military road. Soon after
fording the stream a barb wire barrier obstructed the trail. While
engaged in cutting through this barrier, Lieutenant Cousins was
wounded. Colonel Moore had just come up and ordered him
carried to the rear. An emergency dressing was applied by
Sergeant Major Grout, and he proceeded with the column. While
the wound was painful it was not serious.
The column, after fording the river, followed the trail until
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 247
the military road was reached and then marched into the city.
Before reaeliing the city, natives came out to meet them and it
was learned the Spanish troops had passed through the town
and been engaged by the Pennsylvania men on the outskirts
north of the city. The troops were given an enthusiastic and
frantic welcome by the excited natives, and the Third Infantry
flag was soon flying over the city iiall. The Spaniards had made
entrenchments in many of the streets by ditching and sand
bags. In some cases iron water and sewer pipes had been used.
The citizens had been on short rations for some days. The
Spaniards had swept the whole country for food stuff and those
from the rural districts had been afraid to bring provisions into
the toMU for over a week. Stores were closed and many of
the merchants and business men, with their families, had fled
the town.
When the Spanish troops were driven from their blockliouse
and entrenchments by the Wisconsin men, they retreated through
the city and out onto the turnpike leading towards San Juan.
Here they walked into the range of the Sixteenth Pennsylvania
and a sharp, decisive battle occurred. The Spanish commander,
Major Marlinez, made a brave effort to hold his position. He
recklessly dashed up and down the Spanish lines, and finally fell,
shot several times. As far as can be learned the Spanish loss
was six killed, twelve wounded and one hundred and fifty pris-
oners. Some one hundred and thirty-five Spanish escaped to
the hills, but later some of them were captured.
After a short rest in the city the regiment marched about a
mile on the San Juan road and there went into camp. It was
necessary to hold a large bridge four miles further up the road.
Major Kircheis, with Companies D, Captain Turner, F, Captain
Lee, L, Captain McCoy, and M, Captain Peek, was detailed for
this outpost duty and at once marched to his position. An out-
post was establislied at a point south of Aibonito Pass. The
pass is where the military road goes over the Sierra Del Sur
Mountains. On three hills, commanding the military road, the
Spanish troops were thoroughly entrenched. Major Kircheis
placed outposts in the hills covering the Spanish positions.
August 12 Lancaster's Battery was ordered to the front to
shell the enemy's works. The infantry could not have taken
the works by assault, owing to the deep ravines and steep hills.
In order to get a position for firing, the artillery was compelled
to come out into full view of the Spanish works on the crest of
the mountains. The Spanish artillery fired on the battery as it
248 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
was advanced up the road, but with little effect. Later the
Spanish gunners directed their fire towards the Wisconsin troops.
One shell burst in the midst of L Company, killing Corporal
Oscar R. Swanson and Private Fred Vought, and wounding Cor-
poral Yanke and Private Buntz.
A few moments later the Spani.sh again opened on Lancaster 's
men and held them under a heavy fire. Owing to their better
position the Spaniards could fire upon the Wisconsin line with
small arms, but the elevation made the small arms fire of the
Americans ineffective. The fire of Lancaster's guns was well
directed and Spanish infantry could be seen leaving their posi-
tions and retiring to stronger works in the rear.
At length the Spanish guns became silent and the battery
moved further up the road with F Company as support. They
had advanced but a short way when they encountered a storm
of rifle bullets from the infantry and shells from the big guns,
and were compelled to fall back. The Spanish Infantry had
left their entrenchment and concealed themselves in a banana
field where it was almost impossible to discern them. This
ended the direct attack on Aibonito Pass.
It had been disclosed the Spanish position was such it could
not be carried by a direct attack, and General James II. Wilson,
commanding the division, directed an attack be made by going
through the mountains. A mule pack train was assigned to the
Third for carrying ammunition and rations and the command
was ordered to prepare to take a trail up through the moun-
tains, drive the enemy out of Aibonito and capture the pass and
the city.
On the evening of August 12, Colonel Moore called his officers
together and informed them of the work laid out for them on
the next day. All appreciated the movement would be a hard
one and probably result in considerable loss. Colonel Moore
spoke of the honor conferred upon the regiment by General
Wilson in designating it to lead the advance. To Major George
and his battalion he assigned the honor of opening the way.
Captain Ballard, E, and Captain Kinney, of C Company, were
designated by Major George to lead the advance, with Companies
I and H in support and reserve. Just before the officers' meet-
ing was dismissed Colonel Moore suggested all write letters home.
Saturday, August 13, everything was made ready for the ad-
vance on Aibonito. The regiment was in column of fours on the
road and was waiting only for the pack train to form. Officers
in charge of the train reported they would be in position within
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 249
five minutes, but before the five minutes had passed, a staff
officer froTU headquarters directed Colonel Jloore to withhold
the march until further orders. The regiment was held in readi-
ness to move at any moment. At about 2:30 came information
of the signing of the protocol and that further movement was
suspended for the time being.
Officers and men alike were much disappointed. They liad
made ready again for a movement which was cancelled. Later
in the afternoon, to give the men something to do, Colonel Moore
marched up the road some half a mile and established a new
camp, where tlie regiment remained for several weeks.
The signing of the protocol on August 13, instead of a week
later, prevented an interesting bit of history being made.
On August 31, Wednesday, occurred the death of George
Edwards, Quartermaster Sergeant of H Company, Menomonie.
Sergeant Edwards had formerly been a member of E Company
and had many friends among the Eau Claire boys.
The month of September was spent in the camp just north
of Coamo. There was little happening of a nature to stimulate
activity and much sickness developed. Colonel Moore and the
medical department made every effort to keep the camp sanitary
and officers looked closely after the habits of their men with a
view to preventing illness. The lack of something to do induced
homesickness and the malaria and typhoid quickly followed. The
following table is taken from Captain Emanuel Rossiter's story
of I Company. The figures, while not official, were gathered
from reliable sources and are approximately correct:
September 13 — September 19 —
126 men sick in hospital. 138 men sick in hospital.
200 men sick in quarters. 413 men sick in quarters.
128 men sick in other places. 148 men sick in other places.
18 men left this day.
12 men died in Porto Rico.
Officers and men were afflicted alike. For several weeks the
number of officers available for duty was reduced to such a point
that Lieutenant Cousins, acting regimental adjutant, and Lieu-
tenant Smith, of I Company, who had been placed in command
of P Company, alternated on serving as officer of the day. This
detail was in addition to their other duties and there was no
officer of the guard. Colonel Moore wished to help out by taking
his regular turn as officer of the day, but this the two Lieutenants
250 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
would not permit and they were tough enough to handle the
situation between them.
On September 3, Father Sherman, a Jesuit priest, a son of
CTeneral William T. Sherman, paid the regiment a visit and was
entertained at the officer's mess. He was an old friend of the
Third, having visited at the Camp Douglas Reservation.
On September 9 a second member of E Company passed to the
great beyond. Corporal Sumner P. Bartlett died in the hospital
at one o'clock in the morning. He had been taken to the hos-
pital several days before. Corporal Bartlett had been a member
of the company when it was first organized, but had been out of
the service for several years when President McKinley sounded
the call to the colors. He was a good soldier and popular with
his officers and comrades. At four o'clock in the afternoon of
the day of his death his remains were conveyed to the govern-
ment cemetery, where they were deposited with military honors.
In addition to members of his own company several men of other
companies attended tlie services, showing his cheerful disposition
and nature had made for him friends among the men from other
towns.
Sergeant Major McCall was discharged by order of the War
Department on September 10, and Colonel Moore at once ap-
pointed Samuel E. Grout of Eau Claire to that position. He had
been Battalion Sergeant Major of Major George's battalion and
in addition to that duty had acted as Commissary Sergeant a
large part of the time. The appointment of Sergeant Grout was
a most deserving recognition of his able and conscientious serv-
ices. When the call came for troops in April he was attending
the medical department of the University of Minnesota and came
on to Camp Harvey from there. He lacked but a year of com-
pleting his course biit was informed by the faculty leave would
be granted him and every opportunity given on his return to
complete his studies. Sergeant Grout was of great assistance to
the surgeons in their work and his spare time was put in at the
hospital or among the sick in cjuarters. His appointment as
Sergeant Major was a popular one with the men. who liad for
him love, admiration and respect. He is at present practicing
his profession in Alabama and has built up a tine practice and
reputation.
On Sunday, September 11, just after noonday mess, came a
telegram from General Brooke at a point on the northern coast,
advising a terrible hurricane was coming towards Coamo. This
news broke the monotony of the life the regiment was leading.
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 25]
All hands turned tlieir eye« iu the direction of the north and
waited with calmness the possible destruction. If the hurricane
was coming they would have to take it on open ground, as the
camp was not provided with cyclone cellars. Nothing, liowever,
occurred, further than a brisk wind and heavy shower.
September 12, General Ernst, brigade commander, issued an
order fixing the price of provisions as follows:
Eggs, each 4c
Milk, per quart 8c
Chickens, according to size 10 to 20c
Melons 15c
Bananas, small, i/l c ; large i/oc
Oranges, per hundred 30e
On the 13th, guard details were reduced to 22 non-commis-
sioned officers and 69 privates. For some days 24 non-commis-
sioned officers and 93 privates had been required. Twenty-seven
men were detailed for duty at hospitals to assist the regular
hospital corps of men in caring for the sick.
September 19, the regiment received pay and Major M. R.
Doyan had a long and busy day. His money, mostly in crisp new
bills, was carried in three iron chests. The amount he carried
was one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars.
Tuesday, September 20, notice was received of the third death
in E Company, that of Pi-ivate Dwight C. Brace, which occurred
in the hospital at Ponce on September 17. Private Brace was
highly esteemed by his officers and comrades. Frequently he had
attended to paper work in the company. He possessed consider-
able talent as a caricaturist, handling the jiencil or crayon with
much skill.
Adjutant Cousins, in response to a request from the Secretary
of War, cabled the strength of the regiment for duty on this day
was 617. In this list B and A Companies rank first, with 68
and 67 men, respectively, and F and L Companies last with 36
and 37, respectively.
September 23 a detail of ten men from E Company was sent
to Barranquitas, a small town about nine miles as the crow flies
from Coamo. By road it is a little longer. This detachment was
there until October 17, and had an interesting tour of duty. Cor-
poral Atkinson recalls many pleasant hours spent in the company
of an old school master from whom he heard many interesting
stories and traditions of the island.
On the 27th came orders to march on San Juan on the 29th.
252 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
This news worked a miracle with those who were on the siek
report. Many men suffering from malaria and who could scarcely
more than walk pulled themselves together and reported to their
company commanders they were again fit for service. Later in
the day came the disappointing news the order had been rescinded,
but on September 30 orders were again issued to prepare for
the march. Adjutant Cousins cabled the War Department the
strength of the regiment was 534 on this date.
Sunday morning, October 2, the regiment was on military
road, advancing on San Juan. About ten-thirty the column
passed through Aibonito Pass. This was where the Spaniards
had expected to make their stand and it was at this point the
regiment lost men in August. The sick of the regiment were left
behind at Coamo with Major George in command. He was also
placed in command of the sick of the Sixteenth Pennsylvania
and of the battery.
The animals of the command were spared as much as possible
owing to lack of proper forage. No oats had been issued for
some days and no hay. Horses and mules alike had to feed on
corn and freshly cut grass. This forage was much too heating
for the laboi'S they had to perform. Many of the mounted officers
walked a good part of the distance to save their horses. Thirty
bull teams had been issued to the regiment on September 29 and
these were used to help out the mules. The march was along
the finely constructed military road and beautiful scenery was
disclosed as the column wound in and about the mountain side.
October 3 the regiment was again on the march. The health
and spirits of the men were revived by the movement and the
scheduled day's mareli was covered before noon. The men re-
quested their captains to ask Colonel Moore to continue the march
and this request was granted. The regiment covered two days'
scheduled march in one. About seven-thirty in the morning the
column crossed over the divide. The camp was made a mile and
one-half north of Cayey in a field covered with a beautiful turf,
but soft and wet owing to the severe rains.
October 4 and 5 was spent in the camp at Cayey. On the 5th
the regiment was paid off by Major J. C. Muhlenberg.
October 6, very much to the disgust of the command, orders
came directing the regiment to turn back and march to Ponce.
Over one-half of the distance from Ponce to San Juan had been
covered and the road to San Juan was down grade. Reveille was
sounded at four o'clock and in a heavy rain the camp was broken
and march begun. Nearly all the way to Aibonito the rain came
.SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 253
down. Canvas was in such condition it could not be used. Adju-
tant Cousins took possession of the old barracks, a large wooden
building, and under this covering the regiment passed the night.
On the 7th the march was continued to Coarao and buildings
were again used here. October 8, marched from Coamo to Juan
Diaz. On the 9th, Sunday, the regiment reached Ponce. For
the first time in many days there was no rain. Four rivers were
forded with difficulty owing to flooded condition. The regiment
moved into the already made camp of the Nineteenth Regular
Infantry. They had been withdrawn to the barracks. The
canvas was new and tents provided with floors. The camp was
beautifully located on the bank of tlie river about two miles
from Ponce.
General Guy V. Henry was in command at Ponce and on the
11th paid the regiment a visit. He came entirely alone, not even
an oi-derly accompanying him, and insisted on holding his own
horse while at regimental headquarters. He impressed the Wis-
consin officers most favorably. He showed great interest in the
welfare and comfort of the regiment. General Henry had a high
reputation as a soldier and his face bore the scars of Indian
campaigning.
October 12, Surgeon Major John B. Edwards was taken to
the officer's hospital in Ponce from a severe attack of typhoid.
He had a long siege of the fever and the regiment came home
without him. It was many days after the regiment had sailed
before the nurses dared to tell him he had been left behind.
October 16, Senator Thomas B. Mills, of Superior, Wis., made
the camp happy by his arrival. He had many personal friends
in the Eau Claire Company, who joined with the men from Su-
perior in extending to him a welcome.
October 17 the steamship Manitoba was assigned to the regi-
ment for the trip home.
On the 20th this order was revoked and the Chester assigned.
The Chester was a better boat for officers, but not as well equipped
for carrying the men. Colonel Moore registered a vigorous pro-
test with General Henry, which resulted in the order being
rescinded and the Manitoba again assigned.
Tuesday, October 18, was "Occupation Day," and the citizens
of the city held a grand celebration. Frank Dana's Third In-
fantry band, together with three other military bands and the
troops quartered in the city, joined in the festivities.
During the night of October 18-19, there occurred an exciting
and later amusing event. Some days before this the 47th New
254 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
York had disembarked and were held at the port for several
days before going into camp on ground to the west of the camp
occupied by the Third Wisconsin. It developed afterwards the
men of the regiment, of the 19th infantry and of the regular
artillery had devoted their attention to filling the New Yorkers
with all kinds of tales of dangers. The New Yorkers had been
led to believe they were in constant danger of being sprung
upon from ambush and cut to pieces. In the early hours of the
night a dummy figure had been set outside the 47th guard line.
It had been so arranged long cords would make movements of
the legs and arms. Between three and four o'clock a sentry got
sight of this figure and challenged, and, receiving no reply, he
fired. The sentry on adjoining post came up, challenged and
fired. Then came the Corporal, who challenged and fired; fol-
lowing him was the relief and at length the entire guard. The
firing awoke Colonel Moore and Adjutant Cousins. Supposing
something was wrong in the camp of the 47th, either an attack
by guerrillas or a mutiny. Jack Hood, of the band, was directed
to sound the long roll, and no man living could sound it better
than Jack.
In the darkness the men sprang into the ranks in all stages
of dress and undress. Notwithstanding their haste, none forgot
their rifles, belts and shoes. Some men were even thoughtful
enough to strap on their wire cutters, thinking barb wire barriers
might be encountered. The Adjutant, in the meantime, was
trying to get in connection witli the 47th camp and about time
firing died down there got the Adjutant of the 47th on the wire
and offered Colonel Moore's assistance. This was respectfully
but emphatically declined and no explanation given of the firing.
After a reasonable interval the men were sent back to their tents.
It was well along in the day before the cause of the disturbance
was learned. It was not a safe subject to discuss with the 47th
New York officers or men.
Friday, October 21, the command was up and astir at four
a. ra., packing and making ready to take the transport. In good
order transportation and regiment passed through the city and
arrived at the port in ample season. By five p. ra. all were on
board. The wagon tvanspoilalion was left behind by direction of
the quartermaster's (Icpaiinwnt. The horses traveled with the
regiment and the last ol' them were loaded about midnight. Tlie
boat, however, did not steam out until the next morning, Satur-
day, it being contrary to the sailors' habit to sail on a Friday.
At nine o'clock on Wednesday, the 26th, the Manitoba arrived
HPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 255
off quarautiue New York harbor and anchored for the night.
Early the next morning Colonel Moore directed Lieutenants
Hohvay, Williams and Cousins to go ashore and report the regi-
ment at the army headquarters. These officers arranged for the
drawing of the warm clothing and the traveling, rations for the
trip from New York to Wisconsin.
Later in the day of the 27th the Manitoba, having been passed
by the quarantine officers and given a clean bill, steamed up to
the docks at Wechawken. The boat was still in motion when
Governor Scofield came down the dock, accompanied by Edward
Mullen, and extended an official welcome. The Governor was
heartily cheered by officers and men.
On the 28th, in three special trains, tlie regiment started for
Wisconsin over the West Shore railway. Two sections of this
train were pulled into Milwaukee, where the citizens of that city,
on October 30, tendered all officers and men a banquet. The
other section, carrying the companies from Eau Claire, Neills-
ville, Menoraonie, Hudson and Superior, pulled through from
Chicago, and by night of October 31 all the companies were in
their home towns.
A delegation from Eau Claire met the troop train before day-
light. Among them were Captain Henry, Hon. William P. Bart-
lett and William K. Atkinson. Eau Claire was reached about
9 :30, and again at the Omaha station the men received an ovation
from the people of Eau Claire.
On November 1 a furlough was granted to all men of the
regiment and leave of absence to officers. During this furlough
Dr. McDonald, army surgeon, visited the home station of all com-
panies to ascertain the health of the command. Dr. McDonald
was a favorite with officers and men. He had accompanied the
regiment in its march up the mountains, returned with the com-
mand to Ponce, and accompanied the regiment to Wisconsin.
Lentil January it was not known what the Government would
decide to do with the regiment. There were reports it might
be sent to Philippines and other reports it might be put into some
of the Western forts. Li the meantime Captain Ballard was
busily engaged in preparing the company for muster out or return
into active service. In late December the order came for mus-
tering out and on January 6, 1899, Captain E. P. Andrus, of the
army, arrived in Eau Claire and by midnight of that day E
Company had been discharged from the volunteer service.
During the service losses occurred and some men liad been
transferred to other organizations.
256 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Three had been lost by death :
Private Charles Eck at Camp Thomas, May 22, 1898.
Corporal Sxxmner P. Bartlett at Coamo, September 9, 1898.
Private Dwight C. Brace at Ponce, September 17, 1898.
By honorable discharge one man had been taken from the
rolls ■
Private Leonard Loken, September 15, 1898.
Four were transferred to the Hospital Corps, namely:
Privates: Malcolm J. Cernahan.
Alexander S. Morgan.
William H. Bruce.
Charles E. Day.
All others of the rolls were mustered out January 6, 1899,
as above stated.
AU through the winter of 1898-1899 many of the men suffered
from the effects of the campaign. Some of those who had malaria
in their systems still feel the effects of it at times.
On January 14, 1899, the officers of the field and staff' and
non-commissioned staff were mustered out at Camp Douglas by
Colonel Andrus.
The State of Wisconsin at once set about the re-organization
of the National Guard and companies in the volunteer service
were given an opportunity to re-enter the guard. E Company,
of the Third, was the only company in the State which failed to
re-organize. Captain Ballard gave the company two opportuni-
ties, and on the second failure referred the matter to the Adju-
tant General, with the result that B Company, of the Fifth In-
fantry, was transferred to the Third Infantry as E Company.
Captain Otto H. Kitz)nan commanded this company and extended
an invitation to all the volunteers to enlist, and several of them
did so. On the reorganization of the regiment, June 10, 1899,
Captain Ballard was commissioned as Major and assigned to the
Second Battalion, consisting of Companies C, E, H and I. Mar-
shall Cousins was appointed Regimental Adjutant with rank of
Captain, and Percy C. Atkinson was appointed Battalion Sergeant
Major. On the creation of the office of battalion quartermaster
and commissary, he was promoted to that position with rank of
Second Lieutenant, and at a little later date was again promoted
to Battalion Adjutant, with rank of First Lieutenant.
Marshall Cousins Avas promoted to grade of Major, December
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 257
14, 1913, and was succeeded by Percy C. Atkinson as Regimental
Adjutant on the same date.
Major Ballard continued in the service until April 22, 1908,
when he was discharged on account of ill health. The Major
died October 15, 1909, and was interred with military honors in
Forest Hill cemetery, Eau Claire. A number of the officers of
the regiment from adjoining stations were present at the service.
Following his retirement from active service a regimental order
was issued making the announcement. This order is reproduced,
as it gives a biographical sketch of the Major.
General Orders,
No. 18.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD INFANTRY
Wisconsin National Guard
La Crosse, May 11, 1908
Announcement is hereby made of the retirement, after twenty
years of continuous service, of Major Joseph M. Ballard, on April
22, 1908. For some weeks prior to this time his health had rap-
idly failed, to the sincere regret of his comrades and friends.
Major Ballard's service in the military establishments of the State
had been long and honorable, and gained for him a place of dis-
tinction and high regard in the hearts of all with whom he had
come in contact.
Previous to his coming to Wisconsin he served in the "Worces-
ter Continentals," C Company, Second Infantry, Volunteer Militia
of Massachusetts. He became corporal in this company May 7,
1880, and Sergeant December 27, of the same year. A few years
later he came to Wisconsin, and when the suggestion was made
to organize a military company in his home city of Eau Claire,
Joe Ballard was one of the first to respond to the call and be-
came president of the civil organization formed to finance the
new company. He was active in perfecting the organization.
The company was organized in the summer of 1887 as an inde-
pendent company, known as the "Griffin Rifles." He was com-
missioned First Lieutenant of the company November 14, 1887,
having previous to that time served as First Sergeant. On April
20, 1888, the company was mustered into service of the State as
E Company, and he was re-commissioned as First Lieutenant in
the Wisconsin National Guard. He was promoted to Captain
April 15, 1890, and as such entered the volunteer service of the
United States May 11, 1898. He served throughout the Porto
Rican campaign with credit and honor to his country, his regi-
258 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
ment, his company and himself. E company, under his command,
was the first to land at the Port of Ponce July 28, 1898, the day
of the surrender of that city by the Spaniards. By direct verbal
command of Lieutenant General Miles, Captain Ballard took pos-
session of Government Buildings and threw a guard and patrol
about the port. On August 9 he took part in the battle of Coamo.
He was mustered out with the regiment of January 6, 1899,
and on the re-organization of the regiment he was commissioned
Major, with rank from June 11, 1899, and commanded tlie Second
Battalion from that date until his retirement, April 22, 1908.
He was always ready and always willing to do promptly and
do well every task assigned to him. His cheerful disposition was
contagious, and made many a march and bivouac more endurable.
A faithful friend, patriotic soldier, efficient officer, and brave
man; to this, we, his comrades, bear testimony at the hour of
his retirement. Maj' his future path be a pleasant one.
By order of Colonel Holway.
Marshall Cousins.
Captain Third Infantry, Adjutant.
Major Ballard was born February 18, 1853, at Gardiner, Me.
His father was Augustus Ballard, a prominent and successful
shipbuilder on the Kennebec river. For seven years he resided
in Worcester, Mass., following his profession, that of druggist,
and then removed to Chicago. November 19, 1883, he came to
Eau Claire, buying a drug store from E. H. Playter. He was
married April 25, 1883, to Miss Emily A. Browne, of Boston, who
survived him and still resides in Eau Claire.
This sketch Avould not be complete without a reference to the
Regimental and Battalion Commanders. Colonel Martin T. Moore
commanded the regiment. He was born at Wauwatosa, Wis.,
August 9, 1847, and when scarcely fifteen years of age enlisted
in E Company, 24th Infantry, Wisconsin Volunteers, August 5,
1862. On account of wounds received May 18, 1864, he was, in
August of that year, assigned to duty with the Fifth United
States Veteran Corps of Infantry. He was discharged as a Ser-
geant June 5, 1865. Colonel Moore's service in the National
Guard of Wisconsin began August 14, 1878, as First Lieutenant
of the La Crosse Light Guards. He became Captain August 22,
1879. Aided in the organization of the Third Battalion, W. N. G.,
of which he was the first and only Lieutenant Colonel, from or-
ganization. May 19, 1881, until disbandment early in 1883. On
the organization of the Third Infantry he was commissioned its
SPANISH- AMERICAN WAR 259
first Colonel, June 11, 1883, and remained such until mustered out
of service, Januarj' 14, 1899. Colonel Moore died in La Crosse
March 24, 1903.
The First Battalion, composed of Companies E of Eau Claire,
H of Menomonie, C of Hudson and I of Superior, was commanded
by another veteran of the Civil War, Major Thomas Jefferson
George, who was born in Ohio, November 18, 1842, first enlisted
May 8, 1861, and was discharged on account of sickness, by order
of General Benjamin P. Butler, April 11, 1862. He served as
First Lieutenant Wisconsin State Militia during the Indian dis-
turbances, September, 1862, and was in the United States police
service from 1863 to 1865. From January 11, 1877, to June 11,
1883, he was Captain of the Guard Company of Menomonie. On
the latter date he was commissioned Major in the Third Infantry
and remained as such until the final muster out of the regiment,
January 14, 1899. Major George is living at Menomonie in good
health and respected and loved by all. For Major George officers
and men of Wisconsin National Guard entertain a warm and
kindly sentiment.
Another officer, while not a member of the regiment, richly
deserves mention in this sketch. Captain William A. Bethel, of
the army, was Assistant Adjutant General on the staff of the
brigade commander. He performed the trying duties of his posi-
tion with intelligence, energy and tact and a mutual feeling of
admiration soon sprang up between him and the Third Infantry.
Officers and men alike felt free to go to Captain Bethel for infor-
mation and instruction. Following the war he was ti*ansferred
to the Judge Advocate General's Department and served a detail
as instructor in military law at West Point. He now holds -the
rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
THE HOME PEOPLE.
The good people at home, through the reports sent out by
sensational newspaper correspondents, formed the idea the regi-
ments in Porto Rico were suffering from neglect. On September
14 a mass meeting was held, of which D. A. Cameron was chair-
man and James T. Joyce secretary. Addresses were made by
Hon. William II. Frawley, Mayor S. S. Kepler, Richard F. Wilson,
A. A. Cutter and others, and committees appointed. At a second
meeting, held on September 15, it was agreed to send Robert K.
Boyd to Porto Rico with funds. On September 19 Mr. Boyd,
accompanied by General Griffin, left Eau Claire for Washington.
260 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
The War Department furnished him with transportation, passes
and letters, and he sailed from New York on the Steamer Chester,
October 2. He lauded at Ponce and reached the regiment on
October 7, at Coamo on their return march. Owing to the high
water, he was compelled to swim several rivers.
Mr. Boyd was accorded a royal reception by E Company. lie
found conditions on the island very much improved. The men
had become acclimated. He remained with the regiment and
accompanied it home, sending in the meantime reports which
allayed the anxiety of the friends at home.
"HAPPY JACK."
By an E Company Man.
Will the publishers of the Eau Claire County History give
one of the men of the Puerto Rican expedition a little space to
make mention of Happy Jack? He was the horse ridden by
Adjutant Cousins during the Spanish-American War and for
years after the war. Jack was a Kentucky thoroughbred, born
in the state of fine horses and beautiful women, but as a young
colt was sent to a Georgia plantation, about forty miles from
Chickamauga Park. It was at Chickamauga Park he was pur-
chased by the Eau (Claire officer on May 25, 1898. The planter
from whom he was bought frankly stated he did not thiuk the
horse suited for military purposes as he was a plantation saddler
and had never been in the city or been among large bodies of
men. Jack was accepted, however, and in a few days had estab-
lished friendly terms witli matters military aud with officers and
men. He quickly learned bugle calls and seemed to recognize
the uniform. He was a particularlj' handsome, well-bred animal,
and could take the single foot gait at considerably better than
a three-minute gait. He was as intelligent as he was handsome.
He received a painful Avouiid while on the island, Avhich was
dressed and attended to by Captain E. H. Grannis, one of our
regimental surgeons.
Jack came home with the regiment and lived in Eau Claire
until February 10, 1912, when he passed quietly away. From
1899 on he annually attended the regimental encampments at
Camp Douglas, and hundreds of men will recall his attitude as
he would stand before the regiment at evening parade while his
master. Captain Cousins, Regimental Adjutant, published the
orders.
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 261
Jack, although spirited and lively, was never vicious except-
ing when colored people were about. For the negro race he
seemed to have a particular aversion and would not hesitate to
use his hoofs or teeth to impress upon them his dislike. Jack
rendered his country good and faithful service, and was a kind,
affectionate and agreeable friend and comrade.
CHAPTER XVI.
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION.
The Constitution of 18-48 divided the state of Wisconsin into
five judicial circuits. Chippewa county, which then embraced
territory extending from La Pointe county on the north to Craw-
ford county on the south, except wliat was embraced in St. Croix
county, was attached to Crawford county for judicial purposes.
In 1850 the sixth circuit was formed in part out of territory
in Chippewa county, and in 1854 the remainder of Chippewa
county was divided to form in part the eighth circuit. As late
as 1857, this circuit included the counties of Eau Claire, Chip-
pewa, Dunn, St. Croix, La Pointe and Douglas.
Its first judge was S. S. N. Fuller, whose terra extended from
January, 1855, to 1860. He was truly a pioneer judge, but a
very indifferent lawyer.
In the spring of 1859, L. P. Weatherby, a Hudson lawyer,
was elected to succeed Judge Fuller, who early in the fall re-
signed. Governor Randall appointed the late Judge Barron to
fill Judge Fuller's unexpired term.
Judge Barron was not a noted lawyer, and three months was
not a sufficient time in which to achieve a judicial record. It is
but simple justice, liowever, to his memory to observe that he
was a most striking illustration of what is not unusual, tliat a
very ordinary lawyer may make an excellent judge. Judge
Barron was subsequently judge of the Eleventh circuit.
Judge Weatherby came to the bench in January, 1860, as a
code lawyer, which his immediate predecessor was not. This
was a great advantage to most of the members of the bar then
in Northwestern Wisconsin, as the code practice had then been
but recently adopted by the state, and the practice was new
to them.
The guerrilla and skirmishing practice, tolerated in Judge
Fuller's court, was allowed no quarter in his successor's, tlie
effect of which was, during his term, to make a number of repii-
table lawyers in this circuit. Judge Weatherby was an able
lawyer and fortunately possessed an admirable judicial tempera-
ment.
In 186-4 the eleventh circuit was formed, which detached from
262
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 263
the eighth the counties of Ashland, Burnet, Dallas, Polk and La
Pointe. In 1865 Dallas county, name since changed to Barron,
was attached to the eighth. In 1876 Chippewa county and
Barron county were detached from it and attached to the elev-
enth. H. L. Humphrey, of Hudson, was the immediate successor
of Judge Weatherby, and proved a very successful and popular
judge, till his political friends demanded his retirement to be-
come a member of Congress. He was succeeded in 1878 by
E. B. Bundy, of Menomonie, who was successfully re-elected until
1896, wlien he was defeated by Eugene Helms. However, at this
date the county of Eau Claire had been detached from the eighth
circuit, but his long term of service attests his fitness and integ-
rity as a .iudge.
In 1876 the thirteenth circuit was formed from the counties
of Buffalo and Trempealeau from the sixth and Eau Claire county
from the eighth.
A. W. Newman, of Trempealeau, became its judge in 1877,
but in 1878 the counties of Buffalo and Eau Claire were de-
tached from the thirteenth circuit and attached to the eighth,
and Judge Newman was left judge of the thirteenth with the
counties of CJark, Monroe, Jackson, LaCrosse and Vernon added
thereto by the act of 1878. He remained judge of the thir-
teenth till, through his famous decision in the state interest
cases and the popularity which he achieved thereby, he was
elevated to the bench of the Suprem.e Court in 1894.
The restiveness of the Eau Claire bar under the fact that it
had not a resident judge, and some dissatisfaction among a part
of its leading members, led to the formation of the seventeenth
circuit in 1891, composed of the counties of Eau Claire, Jackson
and Clark.
Although the circuit was strongly Republican, local intiuences
were so favorable to Judge Bailey that he defeated James O 'Neill,
of Clark county, and came to the bench in 1892. During his
incumbency he brought much judicial learning to the discharge
of his official duties, but enjoyed the writing of law works, to
which he has since given much time.
Judge Bailey was succeeded by James O'Neill, who was
elected, and assumed the duties of office in January, 1898. The
present incumbent. Judge James Wickham, was elected in 1909,
when the district was changed from the seventeenth to the nine-
teenth circuit, which is now composed of the counties of Eau
Claire, Chippewa, Rusk and Sawyer.
The first trial upon an indictment for a capital offense which
264 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
had ever occurred in Eau Claire eoimty, was that of Charles
Naither for the murder of Andrew Seitz on the evening of April
30, 1858. The two men, Germans, lived together, and Seitz up-
braided Naither for neglecting to wash the dishes after eating
supper. An altercation ensued and he was thrown downstairs.
He went and purchased a knife and returned to the rooms Seitz
and he occupied over the office of the receiver of public money,
on Eau Claire street. After a war of words had ensued, and
Naither was again ejected from the room, the parties clinched
over the threshold of the door and in an instant Naither plunged
his knife into the abdomen of Seitz. He died from the wound
on May 11 following. The trial took place at the June term of
the circuit coiirt. The accused was unable to employ counsel,
and Mr. Alexander Meggett was assigned to that duty. Judge
S. S. N. Fuller presided. District Attorney Bartlett and Mr.
George Mulks conducted the prosecution. The jury were un-
able to agree upon a verdict and were discharged. On a second
trial the prisoner was found guilty of manslaughter in the third
degree and sentenced to four years and twenty days' imprison-
ment in the penitentiary with hard labor. Two years afterM'ard
Gov. Alex W. Randall pardoned him out.
The second murder occurred in September, 1864. A man
by the name of Sloan, a resident of the town of Seynour, in Eau
Claire county, got into an altercation with John Stoepler. In
a fit of passion, he picked up a maple stick and struck Sloan
over the head with it, fracturing his ski;ll. The result was
death. Stoepler was immediately arrested and indicted. He
was held for trial on April 6, 1865. The district attorney, W. P.
Bartlett, conducted the prosecution, assisted by Alexander Meg-
gett. The accused was ably defended by Horace "W. Barnes
and N. B. Boyden, but the evidence against him was conclusive,
and he was found guilty of murder in the third degree and
sentenced to three years and a half and one day's solitary con-
finement in the state prison, but he was recommended by many
influential citizens to executive clemency, and two years of his
term were remitted.
S. S. N. Fuller was born at Montrose, Susquehanna county,
Pennsylvania. He came to Wisconsin and resided for a time
at Fond du Lac, where his name is enrolled as an attorney under
date of February 3, 1851. His stay there was brief. After his
removal to Hudson, St. Croix county, he was elected county
judge and later circuit judge. His service did not cover the
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 265
full term for which he had been elected. Soon after resigning
he removed to Kansas and died there in about 1876.
Lucien P. Wetherby, one of the early judges, was born at
Eagle, Ouondago county. New York, October 12, 1822. He was
educated in the public schools and at an advanced academy at
Baldensville ; he studied law in the office of Angel & Grover in
Allegany county, and was admitted to the bar in 1840. Was
district attorney and surrogate of that county, in which he began
practice of the law at Angelica. He came to Wisconsin in 1856,
and located at Hudson, where he resided all his subsequent life.
In 1860 he was elected judge of the Eighth circuit and sei-ved
the full term. He died December 11, 1889.
Judge Wetherby was a lawyer both by instinct and educa-
tion. He was a conspicuous figure at the bar and on the bench.
He was thoroughly informed in the fundamental principles of
law, and well versed in the statutes. His comprehension of legal
propositions, the accuracy of his discrimination and his ability
to apply principles to stated cases were remarkable. He gave
dignity to his profession by his ability, knowledge and fairness.
He despised the tricks of the pettifogger and pleaded for law
and justice.
Henry Danforth Barron was a native of New York, was born
at Wilton, Saratoga county, April 10, 1833. After obtaining a
common school education, he entered the law school at Ballston
Spa. New York, and graduated therefrom. In 1851 he became
a resident of Waukesha, Wis., and conducted a newspaper there
for some time ; the newspaper being known as the Waukesha
Democrat until its name was changed to the "Chronotype." In
1853 Mr. Barron was postmaster at Waukesha. In 1857 he re-
moved to Pepin, Pepin county, and practiced law there until
1860, when he became by appointment of Governor Randall,
judge of the eighth circuit. His service in that capacity was
brief, lasting only until the vacancy he was appointed to fill
could be filled by an election. In a short time he removed to
St. Croix Falls, Polk county. In 1862 he was unanimously
elected a member of the assembly from the district comprising
the counties of Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Barron and
Polk. He served as a member of the assembly in 1864, 1866,
1867, 1868, 1872 and 1873. In 1868 and 1872 he was chosen one
of the presidential electors on the republican ticket ; from 1863
till 1876 he was a regent of the State University. In March,
1869, President Grant nominated Judge Barron for chief justice
of the territory of Dakota, which office he declined. In 1869,
266 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
the President appointed him fifth auditor of the treasury, and
he discharged the duties of that office till January 1, 1872, when
he resigned to take a seat in the assembly. In May, 1871, he
was appointed by Governor Fairchild Wisconsin's trustee of
the Antietam Cemetery Association. In 1874-5-6 Mr. Barron
was a member of the State Senate and president pro tem of that
body in 1876. In the spring of that year he was elected judge
of the eleventh circuit. His death occurred before the expira-
tion of his term at St. Croix Falls, January 23, 1882.
Herman L. Humphrey was born at Candor, Tioga county,
NeM' York, Mai'ch 14, 1880. His education, except one year
spent in the Cortland academy, was limited to the public schools.
At the age of sixteen he engaged as clei'k in a store at Ithaca,
New York, and so continued for several years; later he read
law in that city and was admitted to the bar in July, 1854. In
January, 1855, he located at Hudson, Wis., and began the prac-
tice of la^v. Soon after he Avas appointed district attorney to
fill a vacancy; in 1860 he became judge of the county by ap-
pointment, and in 1861 was elected to that office for a full term.
He resigned in February, 1862, having been elected State Senator.
In 1865 he was mayor of Hudson and in April, 1866, was elected
judge of the eighth circuit, and re-elected in 1872. That office
was resigned in March, 1877, when Judge Humphrey's term as
a member of Congress began, he having been elected as the Re-
publican candidate in November, 1876 ; he was twice re-elected,
having served from 1877 to 1883. On completing his congres-
sional service. Judge Ilumplirey resumed the practice of law at
Hudson.
Egbert B. Bundy was born at Windsor, N. Y., February 8,
1833. He received his general education there at the academy,
and his legal education in law offices at Windsor and Depoint,
in his native state. He became a member of the bar at Cortland,
N. Y., in January, 1856. On coming to Wisconsin he began his
law practice at Dunnville, the then county seat of Dunn county,
thereafter removing to Menomonie. He served as county judge,
and April, 1877, was appointed judge of the eighth circuit, then
composed of the counties of Bau Claire, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce
and St. Croix, to fill out the unexpired term of Judge Humphrey.
In April, 1878, he Avas re-elected and at the expiration of tlie
term was again re-elected.
As a lawyer, Judge Bundy Avas highly valued. Making no
claims to oratorical gifts, he was nevertheless forcible, impres-
sive and strong as an advocate. Never "ingenious" in discuss-
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 267
iiig legal propositions to the court, he went strauglit to the core
of the questions, and never burdened or blurred a brief with
cases not in point. In the counsel room he was eminently frank,
practical, able, safe. It was, however, on the bench that Judge
Bundy did the major part of his life work.
Alfred William Newman, an associate justice of the Supreme
Court of Wisconsin, departed this life at the city of Madison,
January 12, 1898, his death resulting from accidental injury
received the day before. Justice Newman was born April 5,
1834, at Durham, Greene county. New York. He was of English
descent, his ancestors being found among the early Puritan set-
tlers of New England. He was born upon a farm and grew up
as a farmer's boy, receiving such education as the neighborhood
schools afforded, and subjected at home and at school to the
strict discipline and religious instruction and observances re-
ciuired by the Presbyterian church, of which both his parents
were devout members.
When thirteen years of age he accompanied his father to
Albany and was present in court when his father M^as exam-
ined as a witness, and it is said that he then and there deter-
mined to become a lawyer, and that thereafter all his efforts to
obtain an education had that in view. When about eighteen
years of age he entered an academy at Ithaca and after two
terms there he entered the Delaware Literary Institute at Frank-
lin, N. Y., where he also remained two terms. He then entered
Hamilton College, at Clinton, N. Y., joining the class of 1857,
with which he was graduated, receiving the degree of A. B.
While at college he diligently pursued extra law studies under
Professor Theodore W. Dwight, and after graduation he con-
tinued the study of law^ in the office of John Olney, Esq.. at
Windham Center, in Greene county, until admitted to the bar
at the general te)'m of the Supreme Court at Albany, Decembei'
8, 1857.
In January, 1858, he started for the west. Stopping tirst at
Alnapee, in Kewaunee county, he removed in March, 1858, to
Trempealeau county, which ever after remained his home until
his removal to Madison in 1894.
He held the office of county judge of Trempealeau county
from April, 1860, until January, 1867, when he assumed the
office of district attorney, to which he had been elected in the
fall of 1866. He was re-elected district attorney in 1868, 1872
and 1874, thus holding that position for eight years.
He was twice elected to the State Legislature, serving as a
268 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
member of the assembly iu 1863 and senator from the thirty-
second district in 1868 and 1869.
While he was holding the office of district attorney the leg-
islature, in 1876, formed a new judicial circuit — the thirteenth
— consisting of the counties of Eau Claire, Buffalo and Trem-
pealeau. In April of that year Mr. Newman was elected judge
of this new circuit, and discharged the duties of that position
until 1878. As a result of legislative action, he was transferred
to and became judge of the sixth circuit. He was re-elected,
without opposition, in 1882, 1888. The third term for which he
was elected expired January 1, 1895.
In the spring of 1893, Hon. William Penn Lyon, chief justice
of the Supreme Court, having expressed his intention not to be
a candidate for re-election, Judge Newman was called out as
a nonpartisan candidate and was elected to the position of
associate justice. His services began at the opening of the
January term, 1894. He had completed four years of his term
and about beginning the fifth year with the opening of the Janu-
ary term, 1898, on the day — January 11 — when he met with an
accident which terminated his life.
William F. Bailey served for six years as judge of the seven-
teenth circuit. He enlisted at the beginning of the war in the
Thirty-eighth New York Infantry, but in the early spring of
1862 became captain of Company K, Ninety-fifth New York Vol-
unteers, serving with McDowell until after the battle of An-
tietam. Some time after the close of the war — that is, in 1867 —
he came to Eau Claire, where he has served in a number of
important positions.
During his term of service in the seventeenth. Judge Bailey
sat in several important trials, most notable among which was
that of the State vs. Elizabeth Russell. In this ease the jury
rendered a verdict of guilty, but judgment was arrested by
direction of the Supreme Court.
The foregoing was not written by Mr. Bailey.
As the Russell trial is mentioned, he desires to correct a false
impression pervading a considerable portion of the public, with
respect to the outcome of that trial. At the suggestion of Mr.
Frawley and the request of the county board, he appointed
William Irwin, a celebrated criminal lawyer of St. Paul, to
assist the district attorney in the prosecution of Mrs. Russell. A
statute of Wisconsin provided and still provides that in crim-
inal cases the trial court may obtain the opinion of the Supreme
Court as to its duty in cases of doubt as to the law. It requires
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 269
that the trial court submit questions to be answered by the Su-
preme Court certifying the evidence relating thereto. During
the trial it appeared from the testimony of the district attorney,
that he had sought to entrap Mrs. Russell, then confined in the
county jail, and to this end he sent Russ Whipple to the jail to
represent to her that he was sent by Mr. James, her counsel, to
obtain the facts within her knowledge; that Mr. James could
not come in person; that he was going to Chicago on a late
train that evening, and in order to assure her that he was sent
by Mr. James, he was to tell her, and did tell her, to call up Mr.
James by telephone. She called up Mr. James, but instead of
Mr. James answering, Mr. Frawley was at the other end and
answered, not disclosing he was not Mr. James, and advised her
to tell everything to Mr. Whipple. The judge was in doubt as
to the legal effect of the appointment of Mr. Irwin, he being a
non-resident of the state and not a member of the Wisconsin
bar, .and also as to the conduct of the district attorney, and
hence, in order to save further delay and the expense of a writ
of error to the Supreme Court, he certified the following ques-
tions in substance:
First With reference to the appointment of Mr. Irwin to
assist the prosecution : Shall the court proceed to judgment and
sentence upon the verdict ? To which question the Supreme Court
answered "No."
Second. The testimony of Mr. Frawley being certified, shall
tlie court proceed to judgment and sentence upon the verdict in
view of such conduct? To which question the Supreme Court
answered "No." That court delivered an opinion severely cen-
suring the district attorney for his conduct. Thus the trial court
was instructed not to proceed to judgment and sentence. The
Supreme Court arrested the judgment and not Judge Bailey.
Persons who want otherwise than here to satisfy themselves of
the facts as here given, are referred to the published opinion of
the Supreme Court found in the Wisconsin reports.
In spite of the exceedingly arduous duties pertaining to his
office, the judge found time to make some valuable contributions
to professional literature in his works entitled "Masters' Lia-
bilities for Injuries to Servants," and Bailey's "Personal In-
juries," both of which have met with general approval and large
sales.
The judge was born in Carmel, Putnam county, New York,
June 20, 1842, the son of Benjamin Bailey, a lawyer who at-
tained nuich prominence during a quarter century of practice
270 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
at the New York bar. Judge Bailey received his early educa-
tion at Clavereck Academy in Columbia county, New York, and
his legal education was obtained in New York. He was admitted
to the bar at Brooklyn in 1863. His service to the public in-
cluded three terms as mayor of Eau Claire, one terra as district
attorney of Eau Claire county, and as judge of the seventeenth
circuit, the latter covering the years of 1892-97.
James O'Neill was born in Lisbon, St. Lawrence county. New
York, September 3, 1847. His parents were Andrew and Mary
(HoUiston) O'Neill, his father being a farmer by occupation.
Tracing his ancestors to an early date, it is found that his pater-
nal grandfather, Andrew O'Neill, was born in Shanes Castle,
Ireland, September 23, 1766. Emigrating to America about
1790, he settled at Edwardsburg, Canada, where on February
18, 1798, he married Jane Armstrong. During October of the
next year they located at Lisbon, New York, Mr. O'Neill being
the first settler of that town. Here as a farmer he lived and
died.
The maternal ancestry was Scotch, Andrew Holliston and
Mary Lees, the grandparents, coming from the banks of the
Leader, a branch of the historic Tweed in Berwickshire, Scot-
land. In the early forties they left their native land, locating
in Oswegatchie, St. Lawrence county, New York.
In the district schools of his native state James O'Neill pre-
pared for the higher branches of learning, entering St. Lawrence
University in the fall of 1863. Here he spent three years, then
entered Cornell University where, after spending three years,
he was graduated in 1871 with the degree of A. B. He obtained
his legal education in the office of John McNaughton, of Ogdeus-
burg, and at the Albany Law School, graduating from the latter
institution in 1873.
After his admission to the bar at Albany, Mr. O'Neill came
to Neillsville on a visit to his uncle James. This was in 1873.
So favorably impressed was he that he decided to locate there
for the practice of his profession. Opening an office, he continued
alone for four years, after which, in August, 1877, he formed a
partnership with H. W. Sheldon, which was terminated with
the death of Mr. Sheldon in February, 1879. For one year he
was associated with Mr. Joseph Morley, and in 1890 formed a
partnership with Spencer M. Marsh, which continued until Mr.
O'Neill left the profession for the bench, in January, 1898.
James Wickham, judge of the circuit court for the nine-
teenth district, is a native son of Wisconsin, having been born
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 271
in Richland county, this state, January 31, 1862, the sou of Pat-
rick and Catherine (Quigley) Wickham, natives of Ireland. The
parents of Judge Wickham emigrated to the United States in
early life, and first located in New York. They removed to Cleve-
land, Ohio, where they remained four years, then came west to
Wisconsin, stopping first at Whitewater, thence to Richland
county, where they arrived in 1859 and engaged in agricultural
pursuits. Both parents died in 1894. They were progressive
citizens and held a place of prominence in the community, and
many times Mr. Wickham was called upon to fill offices of trust.
Judge Wickham received his preliminary education in the
l)ublic schools of Richland county and the Richland Center high
school, which was supplemented by a thorough course in the law
department of the University of Wisconsin, from which he was
graduated with the class of 1886 and began practice in August of
that year at Eau Claire. Prior to his graduating from the law
department he was engaged for a time in school teaching. After
his arrival in Eau Claire he was appointed citj' attorney in 1897
and from 1899 to 1906. From 1889 to 1910 he was engaged in
the practice of law with Frank R. Farr, under the firm name of
Wickham & F'arr. He was elected judge of the circuit court in
1909, assuming the duties of that office January 1, 1910.
In 1891 he was married to Miss Ida Haskin, daughter of
Wright Haskin, of Eau Claire. She passed away in 1904. In 1908
the .iudge married for his second wife Helen Koppelberger,
(lauuliter of H. B. Koppelberger. His children are James Arthur,
William E., Catherine Ida and Walter Leo.
THE COUNTY COURT.
Everything in municipal affairs has its beginning and the
establishment of the county government by law brought with
it the inauguration of the county or probate court ; naturally, the
duties of the judge were very light for a number of years, and
the pay small, but with the lapse of years the work has grown to
such an extent as to occupy nearly the whole time of the judge.
During the last fifty-six years the court has had nine judges, as
follows : Starting with William Pitt Bartlett, who occupied the
office from 1858 to 1861, his successors have been Ira Mead, 1862 ;
John W. Stillman, 1863-65; H. W. Barnes, 1866-68; George C.
Teall, 1869-73 ; Arthus C. EUis, 1874-80 ; George C. Teall, 1881-86 ;
A. C. Larson assumed the duties of the office in 1887 and was
succeeded by ilartin B. Hubbard, who took charge in 1897. He
272 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
remained one term of four years and was succeeded by the pres-
ent encumbent, George L. Blum, who was first elected in 1901.
William Pitt Bartlett, nestor of the bar of Eau Claire county,
was born at Minot, Maine, September 13, 1829. His early educa-
tional opportunities were meager, but he obtained a teacher's
certificate at the age of fifteen years. He paid his way through
the academies at Farmington and Bloomfield and at the age of
twenty years entered Waterville College and was graduated in
1853. He was elected principal of the Hallowell (Maine) Acad-
emy and served in that capacity until he resigned in 1855, hav-
ing in the meantime begun to study law. Being of weak physique,
it was deemed advisable to seek more favorable climatic influ-
ences, and he located at Watertown, Wis., where he taught school
for six months and continued the study of law. He was admitted
to practice in the spring of 1856, and the following year moved
to Eau Claire, Wis., where he has since resided. He was the first
lawyer to locate in Eau Claire county. He is the nestor of the
school board of Eau Claire; has always taken great interest in
educational matters, and for many years was a member of and
president of the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin.
He was elected district attorney in 1859, and during his term of
office became a member of the legislature. In the spring of 1860
he was appointed judge of Eau Claire county by Governor Ran-
dall, and in 1861 and 1863 was again elected district attorney. In
1872 he was again elected a member of the legislature, in 1874
appointed register of the United States land office by President
Grant, and re-appointed in 1878 by President Hayes. From 1857
to 1872 Mr. Bartlett practiced by himself, but in the latter year
he formed a partnership with H. H. Ilayden, which, under the
firm name of Bartlett & Hayden, became one of the strongest
law firms in Wisconsin. In 1884 this partnership was dissolved
and since then Mr. Bartlett has practiced by himself.
Col. Edward M. Bartlett came to Dead Lake Prairie, in Dunn
county, later town of Frankfort, Pepin county, in 1855, and lived
there two winters and in the southern part of the state one win-
ter. In 1858 he settled in Dunn county, residing in Dunnville
and Menomonie until October, 1862. He was commissioned lieu-
tenant-colonel of the Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry in 1864, serving
until the close of the war. He was born in the town of Victor,
Cayiiga county. New York, August 3, 1839, came to Wisconsin
when sixteen years old, and while at East Troy studied law in
the office of Henry Cousins, and was admitted to the bar in 1856,
and settled at Eau Claire in 1866, practicing his profession for
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 273
many years. He was for five years register of the United States
land office, and at one time city attorney of Eau Claire. For
several years he was municipal judge of the city of Eau Claire.
Milton D. Bartlett was born in the town of Victory, Cayuga
county, New York, November 3, 1833, and lived in Auburn,
N. Y., after he was twelve years old until the spring of 1852,
when he came to Wisconsin, locating in East Troy, "Walworth
county. In October, 1852, he returned east, and in the spring of
1854 came to Delavan, remaining there one year. Was then for
one year at East Troy, and in the spring of 1856 moved to
Dunn county, where he lived until the spring of 1860, when he
went to Durand, remaining there until the winter of 1865-66.
He then went to Minneapolis, and in 1870 came to Eau Claire.
He studied law in Auburn and Syracuse, New York, and prac-
ticed at Delavan, discontinuing it for a short time while he was
engaged in fanning. He resumed the practice in 1859, and at one
time was county judge for Pepin county, resigning the position
to go to the legislature, having been elected to the state senate
in 1861.
J. F. Ellis was born in Jerusalem, Yates county. New York,
June 5, 1843. He came to Eau Claire in 1866 and studied law.
He began his practice in 1870. Was county superintendent of
schools for two years, and for six years a member of the school
board.
Arthur C. Ellis came to Eau Claire in 1861, and in May of
that year enlisted in the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry,
serving until 1867, when he was mustered out. He was wounded
at the battle of South Mountain in 1863 and transferred to the
reserve corps. He was lieutenant of Company B, and was with
Sheridan in Louisiana after tlie war. In the fall of 1867 he
returned to Eau Claire and practiced law from 1870 to 1880.
Was county judge for seven years prior to his resignation in the
fall of 1880, when he became connected with the Northwestern
Lumber Company. He was born in Licking, near Granville,
Ohio, September 17, 1843, and moved to Aurora, 111., in 1856.,
remaining there until he came to Eau Claire.
Michael Griffin was born in county Claire, Ireland, September
9, 1842. In 1847 his parents emigrated to America, and after
a short time spent in Canada in 1851, they moved to Hudson,
Summit county, Ohio, where the boy attended the common
schools. In 1856 the family moved to Wisconsin, locating in
Newport. Sauk county, where he continued his studies in the
district school. He enlisted at the age of nineteen, September 11,
274 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
1861, in what became Company E of the Twelfth Wisconsin Vol-
unteer Infantry. He was with the rest of the company mustered
into the United States service November 5, 1861, and was ap-
pointed sergeant the same day. January 11, 1862, the regiment
left Wisconsin, being ordered to Fort Leavenworth. The regi-
ment finally joined Grant in the south and participated in many
engagements. At the battle of Bald Hill, Atlanta, Ga., July 21,
1864, Mr. Griffin was wounded in a charge on the enemy. He
was ordered to the hospital, and though suffering severe pain,
assisted the surgeons in tending to the more seriously wounded.
He was commissioned second lieutenant February 11, 1865, and
mustered as such on March 30 following. He was commissioned
first lieutenant July 5, 1865. He was mustered out of the service
July 16, 1865, on account of the close of the war. He then
returned to Newport, and during the following fall began read-
ing law in the office of Jonathan Bowman, at Kilbourn City, Wis.
He was admitted to the bar of the circuit court at Portage
City, May 19, 1868, and entered on the practice of his profession
at Kilbourn City, where he resided until 1876. In addition to his
professional duties, from 1871 to 1876 he acted as cashier of the
bank of Kilbourn. In 1875 he was elected to the assembly from
the first district of Columbia county. At the close of the session
of 1876 he moved to Eau Claire, where he became actively en-
gaged in the practice of law. He was appointed city attorney in
1878, and reappointed in 1879 and in 1880. In 1879 he was elected
state senator from the thirteenth senatorial district, comprising
the counties of Dunn, Eau Claire and Pierce.
In 1889 he was appointed by Governor W. D. Hoard quarter-
master general of the state. During the two years he occupied
that position the Wisconsin rifle range for the militia was estab-
lished at Camp Douglas, and out of the first appropriation made
by the state he purchased the land and directed the construction
of suitable buildings for that purpose.
General Griffin was an active member of the Grand Army
of the Republic and occupied many positions of trust in that
body. He served several times as post commander, and two years
served as judge advocate of the department of Wisconsin. In
February, 1887, he was elected department commander, and
served one year. He was a member of the Wisconsin Command-
ery, Milwaukee Order of the Loyal Legion, also of the com-
mandery, chapter and blue lodge of the Masonic fraternity.
Knights of Pythias and Royal Arcanum.
In the early fall of 1894 the death of George B. Shaw left
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 275
his congressional district without a representative. General Grif-
fin yielded to the request of his friends and agreed to accept
the nomination. His name was brovight before the convention
held at Eau Claire on October 3, 1894, and on the first baUot he
was chosen to lead the party to victory ; was re-nominated in
1896 and served on committee on military affairs in 54th and
55th congresses. As a man of business Mr. GrifSn displayed the
same ability as he did in his profession, and was successful.
He was interested in the Lea Ingram Lumber Company, of Iron
River; the Eau Claire Grocery Company, and the Eau Claire
National Bank.
Henry H. Hayden. Among the successful and prominent
lawyers of Wisconsin for many years was H. II. Hayden. He
was born in Seheuectady, N. Y., May 3, 1841. His father, Edwin
S. Hayden, a Connecticut Yankee, was a mechanic and farmer;
his mother, Matilda Hayden, nee Joyce, was of Dutch ancestry
and a daughter of a survivor of the Mohawk massacre. Raised
on a farm, his boyhood was uneventful. After obtaining a good
common school education at Crystal Lake, 111., he became a stu-
dent in the law office of M. L. Joslyn, at Woodstock, 111. His
legal studies were continued in Oshkosh, Wis., in the office of
Jackson & Halsey and of Felker & Weisbrod. He was admitted
to the bar in September, 1871, and on January 1, 1872, located
in Eau Claire, where he became associated with William Pitt
Bartlett under the firm name of Bartlett & Hayden. Mr. Hay-
den soon demonstrated his ability in liis profession, and in a short
time, through close application and indefatigable energy, he
became one of the leaders of the bar m the state. After the
partnership of Bartlett & Hayden had continued for fourteen
years it was dissolved, and Mr. Hayden shortly thereafter formed
an association with T. F. Frawley, which continued for three
years. He next admitted R. H. Start into his business, form-
ing the firm of Hayden & Stai't. This partnership continued
two years, and from that time Mr. Hayden practiced alone. He
was engaged in many cases of more than local importance, and
probably argued as many cases before the higher courts as any
member of the bar in the state, outside of a few members of
the Milwaukee bar. His knowledge of the law, his energy and
industry, his tact and force before judge and jury, earned him
a position in the front rank of a small body of men who, collec-
tively, were the ablest lawyers in the state. His success was
largely attributed to the care with which he prepared his cases
before trial and to the conscientious manner in wliich he treated
276 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
his clients, always endeavoring to avoid litigation wlieu just
settlement eould be obtained out of court.
Although his time was almost entirely absorbed by his pro-
fession, Mr. Hayden became largely interested in manufacturing
enterprises and financial institutions, and was the vice president
of the bank of Eau Claire. He served in the war of the rebellion
as sergeant in Company II, Thirty-Sixth Illinois Volunteer
Infantry.
Mr. Hayden was twice married. His first wife was Florence
Slocum, by whom he had two daughters, Avis and Georgie. On
March 18, 1885, he was again married to Alice W. Ellis. In the
death of Mr. Hayden, which occurred January 4, 1903, the bar lost
one of its brightest legal minds, and the city, one of its most
influential and highly respected citizens.
Lewis R. Larson was born near Bergen, Norway, September
1, 1849, and came with his parents to Columbus in the spring
of 1850. He was educated in the public schools of Columbus
and at the Wisconsin University at Madison, graduating from
the latter institution in the class of 1872. He read law in the
office of A. G. Cook, of Columbus, and was admitted to the bar
May 20, 1874, at Portage, and May 28, 1880, to practice in the
supreme court. He remained in the office of A. G. Cook until
June 14, 1875, when he came to Eau Claire and began practice
alone. He was city attorney from April, 1877, to April, 1878,
when he was elected municipal judge for a term of four years.
He subsequently moved to Minneapolis, practicing his profession
there. He died there in August, 1914.
Levi E. Latimer was born in the town of Bloomfield, near
Hartford, Conn., April 12, 1838, and lived there until 1858, when
he went to La Porte, Ind., and studied law. He came to Eau
Claire June, 1860, and engaged in the practice of law until 1872,
when he became municipal judge, which office he held for six
years. He also held various town offices, and in 1878 engaged
in the real estate business. He subseciuently moved to Chicago,
where he died in 1909 or 1910.
Samuel W. McCaslin was born at Neillsburg, Pa., November
3, 1844, and lived there until 1865, when he went to Painesville,
Ohio. He read law, was admitted to the bar and began prac-
ticing in September, 1866. In 1868 he removed to St. Charles,
Winona county, ]\Iinnesota, where he remained until he came to
Eau Claire in 1872.
Alexander Meggett was born in Glasgow, Scotland, March
26, 1824, and came to America with his parents when a little over
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 277
three years old. They settled at Uxbridge, Mass., living there
until 181^6 or 1837, when they removed to Chicopee Falls, town of
Springfield, Mass., where they resided until 1841, in which year
they located at Slaterville, R. I. Mr. Meggett worked in cotton
manufactories until he was nineteen, when he commenced to edu-
cate himself. At Wilbraham Academy, Wilbraham, Mass., and at
Washington, Conn., he prepared himself for the Middleton Uni-
versity. He spent three years in that institution in the sciences,
two years in belle letters and one year in mathematics. In the
winter of 1847-48 he removed to Pawtucket, Mass., and taught in
the public schools for five years. He studied law in 1851-52 while
engaged in teaching with Hon. C. B. Farnesworth, of Pawtucket,
and completed his legal studies the year following with Hon.
Thomas A. Jenckes, of the city of Providence, and was admitted
to the bar in March, 1853, and commenced practice at Pawtucket,
R. I., and practiced at Providence one year prior to coming west
in May, 1857. In June, 1857, he visited Eau Claire and perma-
nently located here in July following, when he commenced the
practice of his profession. During the winter of 1857-58 he was
editor of the Eau Claire Times. He was the second lawyer to
settle in Eau Claire county. He held the offices of town super-
intendent of schools and city attorney, and was also at one time
candidate for judge of the district.
Mr. Meggett was doubtless engaged in more important crimi-
nal cases than any other lawyer in this section of the state, having
been either sole or leading counsel in the following cases : State
vs. Nethers, Fritz, Noble, Murray, Moseby, Mrs. Wheeler and
Carter, Davy, Jump and Muzzy, besides many cases of homicide
in various degrees and other important cases, both criminal and
civil. His untiring zeal for his client's cause, his professional
learning and ability, and his peculiar forcibleness and success
in jury trials, both criminal and civil, justly merited him that
prominence which was so generously accorded him by members
of his own profession as well as by others.
Levi M. Vilas, formerly of the Eau Claire bar, and at the
time of his death judge of the district court of Ramsey county,
Minnesota, was born February 17, 1844, at Chelsea, Orange
county, Vermont. He completed his general education in the
University of Wisconsin, from which he was graduated in 1863.
His graduation from the Albany law school occurred in 1864,
in which year he was admitted to the bar in New York. Return-
ing to Madison, he engaged with his brother, William P., in the
practice of the law for about one year, after which he went into
278 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
the quartermaster's department of the army as c-hief clerk,
remaining in that position two years. In 1868 he removed to Eau
Claire, Wis., where he built up and maintained a large practice.
He was elected to the office of city attorney in 1872, and mayor
in 1876 ; district attorney in 1877 and 1879. Mr. Vilas removed
from Eau Claire to St. Paul, Minn., in June, 1887. In less than
two years after becoming a resident of St. Paul he was selected
by the governor for judge of the district court of Ramsey county,
which appointment was accepted and the duties of the oifice en-
tered upon. But the worthy recipient of that honor was not
long permitted to hold the scales of justice ; disease even at the
time he left Wisconsin had laid hold of him, and on August 25,
1889, he passed away at the family home at Madison.
Levi M. Vilas was aii excellent lawyer. His standing in the
profession was such as any member of the bar might envy ; such
as cannot be reached otherwise than by diligent application of
a trained and strong mind. His manner of expression was
marked ; his style was his own — clear, terse and strong. His
voice was strong, but musical. His appearance was prepossess-
ing and indicated great strength.
James F. Salisbury came to Wisconsin, locating at Hudson
in 1876, remaining there one year. He came to Eau Claire and
was associated with Joseph F. Ellis in the practice of law. He
was born in Brockport, Monroe county, New York, November 7,
1849. J. F. Salisbury was educated in St. Paul, Minn., and at
the Michigan State University, graduating from the latter insti-
tution in 1871. He was admitted to the bar in 1871 and com-
menced practice at St. Paul.
Ira B. Bradford, a member of the Eau Claire county bar, lias
practiced law at Augusta since 1873. He was born in the town
of Fulton, Rock county, Wisconsin, June 24, 1851. He was edu-
cated in the academies and seminaries of New Hampshire, and
in the fall of 1869 went to Edinboro, Pa., and entered upon the
study of law. In the fall of 1871 he returned to New Hampshire
and continued his studies at Newport until the summer of 1872,
when he went again to Edinboro. In February, 1873, he reached
Janesville, Wis., and entered the law office of Cassoday & Car-
penter as a student. In March, 1873, he was admitted to the
bar at Monroe and immediately went to Augusta.
Mr. Bradford was the first mayor of Augusta. In 1879 and
1881 he was a member of the assembly, and served as speaker
during the latter year.
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 279
Eosiel D. Campbell was born in LaFayette, Onondago county,
New York, Feliruary 15, 1810. Came to Beloit, Wis., in 1838,
resided there for some years, then went to Lee county, Illinois,
where he resided for a time, then went to Boone county, Illinois,
for two years, and in October, 1861 enlisted in Company I, Forty-
sixth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry. After the battle of
Ft. Donelson he was promoted to captain, receiving his commis-
sion just before the battle of Pittsburg Landing. In the fall of
1862 he resigned and came to "Waterloo, Wis., where he resided
until 1867, when he located in the town of Ludington, Eau Claire
county, and in 1869 moved into Augusta. He served as president
of the village and also held the office of court commissioner,
and for several years was justice of the peace. Mr. Campbell was
admitted to practice in the territory of Wisconsin in 1842, and
was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1843.
Judson C. Crawford was born in Ulysses, Tompkins county.
New York, April 26, 1823 ; lived there until he came to Wiscon-
sin in the fall of 1847. He taught school at Sheboygan and two
years at Waupun, and one year at Ceresco. Afterward for many
years he was engaged in the general missionary work, being a
regularly ordained minister of the LTniversalist Church. In
March, 1875, he settled in Augusta and engaged in the practice
of law.
Thomas F. Frawley was born near Troy, N. Y., March 6, 1851.
His parents, Thomas and Honora (Hogan) Frawley, were natives
of Ireland, and possessed such attainments of mind and heart as
especially fitted them to mould the character of their children.
The father was studious, thoughtful, industrious, independent and
energetic, and the mother of kindly, cheerful and benevolent
disposition, being a woman of deep religious convictions. The
family consisted of seven sons and two daughters, all of whom
were thoroughly educated. It is quite a remarkable fact that
six of the sons graduated from the University of Wisconsin and
that from 1870 to 1896 some member of the family was a student
at that institution.
A short time after the birth of Thomas F. Frawley, the family
moved to Wisconsin and settled upon a farm in the tovra of Ver-
mont, Kane county, and there he resided until 1875. Until he
was seventeen years of age the boy assisted in the cultivation of
the farm, attending district school during the winter months.
For two terms he was a student at the Albion Academy in Dane
county, and in the spring of 1872 entered the University of Wis-
280 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
t'onsin. Prom October, 1873, until June, 1874, he taught school
at Highland and Dodgeville, but during that period he continued
his studies in the university and was graduated therefrom in
1875, having largely paid the expenses of his collegiate education
with the money he earned as a teacher. As a university student
lie was an acknowledged leader in debate, being a participant
in the joint oratorical contest of 1874.
For five years after his graduation Mr. Frawley served as
principal of the high school in Eau Claire. During this period
he commenced the study of his profession and formed the nucleus
of his law library, which was considered one of the most complete
private collections in the state. Upon his admission to the bar
in 1880 he abandoned the educational field and earnestly assumed
the duties of his new profession. During the first few years of
his career he conducted the defence of many important criminal
cases. Among those being best known may be mentioned that
growing out of the lynching of Olson in Trempealeau county in
1889. In later years he gave most of his attention to civil cases,
especially those involving important question of corporation law.
Mr. Frawley was a democrat of high standing. In 1888 he
served as a delegate to the National Democratic Convention held
in St. Louis. In 1892, upon the delivery of his telling speech
before the state convention, the old ticket was nominated for re-
election. For many years prior to 1896 Mr. Frawley was a mem-
ber of the Democratic State Central Committee. In June of that
year he was chosen both temporary and permanent chairman of
the state convention, which convened in Milwaukee for the pur-
pose of selecting delegates to the national convention called to
meet in Chicago. Mr. Frawley was for ten years a member and
for several terms president of the Common Council of Eau Claire.
Interested in educational matters, he was for many years a
member of the Board of Education, and in that capacity did
much to improve the school system of the city. He was financially
and professionally interested in several corporations, being a
stockholder and director of the Chippewa Valley Bank, and stock-
holder and attorney for the Eau Claire Light & Power Company,
in addition to holding similar relations to other corporations.
On the sixth day of August, 1877, Mr. Frawley was married
to Lydia A., daughter of Joseph Lawler, one of the early settlers
of Eau Claire, and one of its most highly respected citizens. They
had one son, Thomas F. Frawley, Jr., who is now a practicing
attorney in Eau Claire. During the many years that Mr. Fraw-
ley was a member of the legal profession he formed several eon-
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 281
neetions. From 1881 to 1884 he was of the firm of Frawley, Hen-
tirix & Brool-.s; from 1884 to 1888 he practiced alone; the follow-
ing year his brother, W. H. Frawley, was his partner, and from
August, 1889, to August, 1890, he was associated with H. H.
Hayden as a member of the firm of Hayden & Frawley. From
August, 1890, until September, 1897, Mr. Frawley had no part-
ner, but at the latter date the firm of Frawley, Bundy & Wilcox
was formed. The death of Mr. Frawley occurred in 1902.
George Clinton Teall was born in Seneca county. New York,
May 20, 1840, and at the age of twelve removed with his parents
to Geneva, N. Y., where he was principally educated. At the age
of eighteen he entered Hobart College, in which he was a mem-
ber of the class of 1862. His father, G. C. P. Teall, was a son of
Nathan Teall, whose father was one of three political fugitives
from the oppression of Switzerland, who settled in Connecticut
about 1730. His grandfather, Nathan Teall, was a soldier in the
Revolutionary War under General Knox. In 1792 this grand-
father settled in Newtown, N. Y., which was afterward named
Elmira. On the side of his father's mother the ancestors were
among the Pilgrim Fathers who landed from the "Mayflower"
at Plymouth in 1620, and her father was a colonel in the Revolu-
tionary War. Mr. Teall studied law at Rochester, N. Y., in
1862-3-4 in the office of Hon. Theron R. Strong and Hon. Alfred
G. Mudge, and also attended a course of lectures in the winter
of 1863-4 at Rochester. In February, 1866, he came to Eau Claire
with his family, and in April, 1867, was elected justice of the
peace, and in January, 1868, was appointed county judge by
Governor Fairchild. In the spring of 1869 he was elected his
own successor and administered that office until January, 1874.
He was from 1866 for several years interested in the mercantile
firm of George C. Teall & Co., and from 1868 to 1873 Was one of
the firm of William A. Teall & Co., general insurance agents. He
was admitted to the bar in Wisconsin at Milwaukee in January,
1872, and soon afterward to the supreme court and the United
States courts at Madison. In 1873 he formed a partnership with
Alexander Meggett and was a member of that law firm until the
spring of 1881, when the firm was dissolved. In December, 1880,
he was again appointed count}' judge by Governor Smith, and in
1881 was re-elected without opposition for the term ending
January, 1886.
Hon. Henry Cousins (deceased). Among the names of the
strong men who helped to make the Eau Claire bar famous stands
that of Hon. Henry Cousins. From early boyhood to the day of
282 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
his death his character was never tarnished by a blot. Although
quiet and unassuming, he became widely known in legal, political
and social circles as a man to be trusted in all relations of life.
His demise called forth the most glowing tributes and eulogies
that were ever bestowed on a deceased member of the Eau Claire
bar by members of that association. He was born in Mayville,
Chautauqua county, New York, on February 7, 1826, and with
his parents, John and Mary Cousins, removed to Dover, Cuyahoga
county, Ohio, in the spring of 1837, where, until the age of fif-
teen years, he had the advantage of such schools as the newly
settled district afforded. For two years he was employed as a
clerk in a dry goods store, but the confinement being somewhat
irksome he sought a wider field of labor, and, as expressed in
his own peculiar diction, he "went to work on his father's farm,
where he had the reputation of taking more time to do less work
than any other boy in the neighborhood." At this time a taste
for study and general reading was developed wdiich was stimu-
lated and directed by a Baptist clergyman of Dover, who kindly
placed his library and advice at his command. Thereafter he
commenced the study of law at Elyria, Ohio, in the office of J. D.
Benedict, and in 1848, when twenty-two years old, was admitted
to practice by the supreme court of the state. In 1848 he became
interested in the anti-slavery discussion which convulsed the
country, espoused the advance opinions on that subject, having
the confidence of such men as Giddings and the Wades of that
state, and was known as an abolitionist of the voting school,
when the term implied more of approbrium than honor.
A letter from the Hon. Joshua R. Giddings, then in Congress,
relative to his candidacy for re-election was a greatly cherished
memento of this beginning of Mr. Cousins' political activities.
In 1850 he came to Wisconsin and entered on the practice of
his profession at East Troy, Walworth county; was elected clerk
of the court in 1854 and held office for six consective years.
While in East Troy a warm and confidential friendship sprang
up between the young attorney and Judge John F. Potter — -
Bowie Knife Potter — and he attended to many legal matters for
the judge during the period he was in Washington. When Judge
Prior, of Virginia, challenged Judge Potter to a duel, the latter,
before public announcement of the matter was made, returned
to East Troy for the purpose of putting his affairs in order. To
Mr. Cousins he made known his ideas as to how pending litiga-
tion was to be handled. Many matters of a confidential nature
were entrusted to the younger man, and in explanation shortly
p/
HENRY COUSTNS
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 283
before the judge 's return to Washington, while the two men were
occupying the same room as a sleeping apartment, the judge an-
nounced he had received a challenge just before his departure
from Washington and that his trip was to prepare for what might
happen. Mr. Cousins tried to dissuade him from accepting the
challenge, but was met with the statement, "No, by God, I have
accepted, and if I ever get Judge Prior on the field I will kill
him if I can." But the outcome of this challenge is a matter
of historj'.
On the outbreak of the War of the Rebellion he received a
provisional commission authorizing him to recruit a company,
which, on its acceptance by the United States, would entitle him
to a captain's commission. The company was recruited, offered
to the government, and every man on the rolls, with the exception
of Captain Cousins, passed a physical examination. After his
rejection by the army surgeons he devoted his labors, until the
close of hostilities, to assisting and aiding others in recruiting
and in fostering loyal sentiment among the people.
His father, John Cousins, as a boy of 14, served with Mae-
donough at Lake Champlain, and the grandfather, a sea captain
previous to the Revolutionary War, was issued letters of marque
by Congress and assisted in naval operations.
In 1866 he located in Eau Claire. In 1867 was elected district
attorney and re-elected in 1869 ; was elected to the assembly in
1871 without opposition, and bore an honorable part in the Dells
improvement struggle, and was thereafter alderman for the Third
Ward in this city for two years. He was also a member of the
county board of supervisors.
In consequence of failing health in 1881 he accepted the posi-
tion of register of the United States land office in Arizona, but
in 1883 returned to Eau Claire, having voluntarily resigned the
office. In 1885 he was again elected district attorney for Eau
Claire county, and in 1887 declined nomination, thus closing his
official career. After several weeks of sickness he departed this
life late in the afternoon of Thursday, October 25, 1888, at the
age of sixty-five years, eight months and eighteen days. While
taking no place in religious controversy, nor holding dogmatic
theology in high esteem, he held as supremest truth the fact of
a Creator, Ruler and Father of all mankind, and that at some
period, somewhere in the time to come, would be accomplished
the final exaltation of the race.
As a politician, while deeming principle above party, and while
indulging in free criticism of its policies, he held to the last pro-
284 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
found regard for the party he believed had wrought well for the
people, and revered with all the force of his nature the stead-
fastness of those men Avho strove for the extinction of chattel
slavery and the equality of all men before the law. As a lawyer
he came to the profession believing the machinery of the law
should be so used as to ameliorate conditions, protect society and
uphold the right.
At the exercises of the Eau Claire Bar Association held in
Circuit Court January 15, 1889, many tributes of respect were
paid to his memory. The resolutions of the committee made
special mention of the high esteem of his colleagues for "his ripe
attainments through mastery of details, conscientious practice
and large experience in his profession ; for his uniform recogni-
tion of courtesies due to the bench and the bar, and for his great
veneration for the law as an ample shield of protection for the
citizens against encroachments of wrong." A special mention
was made to the helping hand he was always ready to extend to
the young practitioner.
Mr. Cousins had a keen appreciation of wit and a never fail-
ing stock of stories which illustrated his points, either in arguing
before a jury or in making a political address. In the use of
sarcasm he was an adept, but, as one fellow practitioner stated,
"Henry's shafts, though telling and eifective, are so tempered
as not to sting and hurt." To this day some of his former asso-
ciates repeat his stories.
Mr. Cousins was one of those who remain cool and collected
when most people are in a state of great excitement. One gen-
tleman described his entrance into Mr. Cousins' office, then in the
old Music Hall Building, which was on fire. Mr. Cousins sat at
his desk writing. The excited friend dashed in, crying out,
"The building is on fire. What shall I do first?" Mr. Cousins
continued his writing without looking up until the paragraph was
finished, then calmly blotting it, he glanced up and replied,
"Well, under the circumstances I would suggest you better get a
pail of water." When provocation appeared to demand the use
of emphatic language, Mr. Cousins was not found wanting, but
as a friend says, "However emphatic his expressions are, they
are nevertheless picturesque and artistic."
January 21, 1861, he married Louise, daughter of Otis and
Julia (Corbin) Preston, the former a native of Massachusetts
and the latter of Ohio, but of French descent. Mrs. Cousins was
born October 26, 1840, in White Pigeon, Mich. She is a culti-
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 285
vated, broadiuiiided woman, and interested in social and educa-
tional progress. She has two children.
John E. Stillman settled in Eau Claire in its earliest days. He
was the first teacher in the first public school. The building
was erected in the village of Eau Claire in the winter of 1856-57.
It was of green, rough boards, located on what is now Barstow
street, near Grand avenue. East, and in dimension was 16 by 24
feet. As schoolmaster Mr. Stillman was succeeded the following
summer by Miss Mary Arnold. At that time there were fifteen
pupils. Later Mr. Stillman engaged in the practice of law.
Served as county judge from 1863 to 1865.
In 1860 he married Miss Mary Lashier, of Fall River, Wis., to
whom there were born three sons and two daughters. In 1872
he was practicing law under the firm name of Stillman & Ed-
wards. In 1873, on account of ill health, he removed to Florida,
where, with other Eau Claire men, he helped establish the town
of Orange City. In 1882 Mr. Stillman moved to Washington,
D. C, where he resided for one year, then returning to Orange
City. He died in 1883.
Horace W. Barnes was born in the town of Colesville, Broome
county. New York, in 1818. His boyhood was spent in the family
of an uncle who settled in a dense beech and maple forest in
Medina county, Ohio, where he lived a life of constant toil, with-
out one day's schooling until his majority, and Shakespeare's
line would then forcibly apply to the youthful Buckeye :
"This boy is forest-born, and hath been tutored in the rudi-
ments of many desperate studies."
How many men famous in American history have laid the
superstructure of their education and built up an honorable
name from such rough materials as poverty and the adverse cir-
cumstances that pioneer life always impose ! There seems to have
been something inspiring in the grand old woods where the
early days of many of our most distinguished men first saw the
light; and in overcoming the many natural obstacles always
encountered in new districts, high aspirations and a determina-
tion to achieve grander results take possession of the hardy
backwoodsman and frequently leads to victory, honor and
fortune.
These feelings inspired Mr. Barnes, and with indomitable
energy he set himself to earn the means to educate himself. By
the most rigid economy and assiduous attention to his studies,
he acquired a good English and mathematical education and con-
286 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
siderable proficiency in the classics at Oberlin Institute, Ohio,
acquisitions that he utilized in teaching and surveying until
1852, when he commenced the study and practice of law in which
he soon won distinction as a sound legal adviser and laborious
faithful advocate.
As a pleader, Mr. Barnes displayed qualities which, if not
always insuring his own success, were well calculated to quench
the ardor and paralyze the force of his adversary.
Carefully noting, as the cause proceeded, the points which
his antagonist intended to make, he would anticipate him and
tell the court and jury precisely what his opponent would say,
frequently using the exact language in which it would be clothed,
and emasculating the argument of all points of power before it
was uttered. He felt defeat intensely and seemed to suffer even
more than his client the loss incurred by any want of skill or
foresight in managing a suit, and hence in all civil suits was
wary and cautious, always exacting a full, impartial statement
of the case from his client before taking it, and not then unless
the evidence, justice and a reasonable prospect of success jus-
tified it.
In serving the public, no matter in what capacity, his industry
and perseverance Avere untiring, and he shares with Mr. Thorp
the honor of exposing frauds in the accounts of the Eau Claire
county treasurer and of restoring the credit of the county.
Mr. Barnes came to Eau Claire in 1858 and was elected district
attorney the next year, 1859, and county judge in 1865; was a
member of the legislature in 1861 and 1867. In politics, was a
steadfast republican, and during the war zealous and active in
carrying forward any and every measure for its prosecution.
In his friendship he utterly ignored position or caste, and
wherever he found what he considered a true man, he was his
friend, but scorned obsequious or patronizing airs, and was some-
times so impolitic as to prefer blunt honesty to assumed gentility.
In 1872 he removed to Oswego, Kans., with his family, where he
now resides in the practice of his profession.
Abel Davis, who was one of the early settlers of Eau Claire,
was born January 16, 1842, in the town of New Portland, Maine.
He spent his early life on a farm, receiving a common school
education, and in January, 1862, enlisted in the Fourth Maine
Battery, serving until August 9, 1862, when he was wounded at
the battle of Cedar Mountain, for which he received his honorable
discharge. Returning home he resumed his former occupation,
at which he worked until the spring of 1868, when he came to
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 287
Eau Claire, Wis., and from tliat time until 1872 labored in the
saw mills and woods. In the last named year he commenced the
study of law in the office of J. F. Ellis and later entered the law
department of the Wisconsin State University, from M'hieh he
graduated in 1874. Returning to Eau Claire he engaged in prac-
tice with J. F. Ellis, remaining in that firm for five years, when,
on account of ill health, he retired from active practice and re-
turned to Maine in 1888. He resumed the practice of law in
Pittstield, JMaine, where lie died on October 12, 1905.
Loren Edwards, formerly a prominent attorney of Eau Claire
and now a resident of Oconomowoe, this state, was born in Erie
county, Pennsylvania, on September 7, 1843, the son of David
and Margaret Edwards. His father was born in New Haven,
Conn., and of the same family ancestors as Jonathan Edwards.
Loren Edwards received his early education in Erie countj',
Pennsylvania, where he resided until 1865. He attended the
Waterford Academy there, supplementing that with a course in
the Lawrence University, Wisconsin, and was graduated with the
first class in the Law Department of tlie State L'niversity at
Madison, after which he studied law for a time in the office of
Gregory & Pinney in Madison. In 1871 he removed to Sacra-
mento, Cal., and practiced law there for two years, then came to
Eau Claire and practiced until 1878, thence to Milwaukee, where
he continued until 1881, and from that date until 1886 he prac-
ticed in Allegany county. New York. He went from there to
Kansas, where he practiced for ten years and in the meantime
served as County Judge of Barber county. In 1896 he moved to
Oconomowoe where he has since resided, and enjoys a lucrative
business. He was admitted to practice in the Supreme courts of
Wisconsin, California, New York and Kansas, and to the United
States Circuit courts in Wisconsin. With the exception of his
partnership relations with Mr. Stillman, of Eau Claire, and with
Mr. Westover, in Oconomowoe, he has practiced alone, and while
in Eau Claire he held the office of District Attorney, and for some
time was Municipal Judge of the Western District of Waukesha
county, this state. He served in the United States Navy during
the civil war, and is a bachelor, a Mason and a republican.
Andrew Judson Sutherland, one of the well known lawyers
of Eau Claire, is a native son of Wisconsin, having been born
in London, Dane county, this state, April 28, 1856. His parents,
Andrew and Catherine (Mc Vicar) Sutherland, who were natives
of New Brunswick, Canada, settled in Eau Claire county in 1856,
the same year our sub.ject was born, and located in the town of
288 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Union, where the father purchased 240 acres of wild land, which
he cleared and improved, making one of the banner farms of the
township. He lived to the ripe age of 87 years, and died in 1909.
His widow, mother of our subject, is now (1914) still living at
the age of 90 years. They reared a family of nine children as
follows: Christinia, married Angus McVicar; Peter, George,
Charles, John, Andrew J., Flora M. (became the wife of Austin
H. Langdell), Margaret and Neal Sutherland.
Mr. Sutherland was reared on the homestead farm, spending
his boyhood days in much the same way as do most farmer boys,
attending the district school and assisting in the farm work.
Deciding to enter upon the career of a lawyer, he entered the
law department of the State University, at Madison, and was
graduated with the class of 1884. Soon after his graduation he
opened an office in Eau Claire for the practice of his profession,
in which he has since successfully continued.
On November 30, 1884, Mr. Sutherland married Mary Brown,
daughter of Henry and (Baker) Brown, of Cambia county,
Pennsylvania, and has four children, Mary Elsie, wife of Rollen
Alcott ; Laura Edith, Bessie Irene and Judson Clair. Mr. Suther-
land is a member of the First Baptist Church, of which his mother
is the only survivor of the original members. Politically Mr.
Sutherland is a democrat. He was a candidate for Congress on
the democi'atic tii'ket in 1914 for the tenth district.
LaFayette M. Sturdevant, attorney-at-law, Eau Claire, Wis.,
was born in Warren county, Pennsylvania, September 17, 1856.
His parents, Hiram N. and Sarah A. (Reed) Sturdevant, were
both natives of the Keystone state and of Holland Dutch descent.
In 1865 they came to Wisconsin and settled in Clark county,
where the father purchased a 120-acre tract of land, to which he
subsequently added 80 more acres, all of which he cleared and
improved with substantial buildings and the land brought to a
good state of cultivation. Here he made his home until his death
in 1888 at the age of sixty-seven years. He reared a family of
six children as follows: LaFayette M., Mary, wife of Amenzo
Verbeck; James E., Arthur H., Fred F., and Almeda.
LaFayette M. was reared on the farm from the age of nine
years, and grew to manhood in Clark county, receiving his educa-
tion in the public schools, and taught school five terms in that
county. At the age of 20, in 1876, he began the study of law in
the office of his cousin, J. R. Sturdevant, at Neillsville, Wis., and
was admitted to the bar in 1878, when he at once began the prac-
tice of his profession with L. A. Doolittle under the firm name of
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 2«'J
Doolittle & Sturdevant. At the end of two years, in 1880, he
severed his connection with Mr. Doolittle and entered into part-
nership M'ith J. R. Sturdevant, forming the well-known firm of
Sturdevant & Sturdevant, which arrangement continvied for eight
years, when the partnership was dissolved, and from 1888 to
1903 Mr. Sturdevant practiced alone at Neillsville. In the latter
year he was elected attorney general of the state, and re-elected
in 1905. Finishing his second term in 1908, he became attorney
for Governor Davidson, at Madison, holding that position until
August, 1910, when he located at Eau Claire, where he has since
been in active and successful practice of his profession as a
member of the firm of Sturdevant & Farr.
Mr. Sturdevant has been twice married ; his first wife was
Minetta, daughter of Orson and Euretta (Hastings) Bacon, of
Neillsville, Wis., by whom he had three children, viz.: Clarence
L., Hugh. II., and Viola E. The present Mrs. Sturdevant was
Mary E. "Williams, daughter of Peter "Williams, of Camp Point, 111.
In politics Mr. Sturdevant is a republican, and as such repre-
sented Clark county in the legislature for two terms and served
the same county two terms as district attorney. He is a mem-
ber of the Unitarian Church, Modern "Woodmen of America and
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
John C. Gores. Born March 26, 1857, at Oshkosh, "Wis. "When
thirteen years old left school to earn his living. Admitted to the
bar in his native city June 26, 1881, and thereupon removed to
Eau Claire, where he has resided ever since. For several years
a member of the legal firm of Gores & Miner, afterwards Gores,
Frawley & Miner. In 1889 chosen by the Common Council alder-
man of the Eighth "Ward to fill a vacancy, which choice was
unanimously ratified by the people at the following election.
Twice thereafter elected alderman, the last time without opposi-
tion. Served on the School Board and County Board.
Since 1890 practiced law alone, specializing in office work
In 1897 acted as referee to try the case of Laycock vs. Parker,
which, up to that time, was the most lengthy ease tried in Eau
Claire county. On appeal to the supreme court, the case was
afiSrmed and the court in the opinion expressed its special appro-
bation of the manner in which the trial was conducted by the
referee. In 1897 appointed as city attorney, to which office there-
after two different proffered appointments were declined.
In civic affairs and in politics has always taken a proper
degree of interest. At all times a thorough-going, independent
and progressive, though not an extremist. Believes that the
290 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
spoils system tends to draw the worst instead of the better men
into politics. During the time of the greenback and free silver
agitation in 1877 and 1878, contributed newspaper articles in
favor of the resumption of specie pajrment and against free sil-
ver. In the last battle for fr.ee silver in 1896 wrote a pamphlet
entitled "Honest Money — An Essential in the Prosperity of the
Republic." "Was the first in the city to advocate publicly the
adoption of the commission form of government for cities. There-
after visited Galveston, Tex., where the plan was first tried, to
observe its practical workings. In 1905, when it was proposed
by the governor in his message to Wisconsin legislature to
re-establish the former metliod of taxing mortgages, Mr. Gores
opposed the proposition in an exhaustive printed argument en-
titled "The Taxation of Mortgages with Reference to Northern
Wisconsin," which was submitted to the legislature. The law
was left unchanged notwithstanding the governor's attitude.
Throughout life has been a strong book lover, and acquired
a reading knowledge of several foreign languages. June 18, 1890,
was married to Kate Schultze, Avho has resided in the city since
her birth.
Julius C. Gilbertson, a well-known lawyer of Eau Claire and
member of the legal firm of Larson & Gilbertson, was born in the
city of Eau Claire, June 28, 1875, and is a son of Tolof and Susan
(Lamb) Gilbertson, both natives of Norway. The paternal grand-
father of Julius C. — Gilbert Peterson — came to the United States
in 1867 and settled in the state of Iowa, where lie resided until
his death. John Lamb, maternal grandfather of Mr. Gilbertson,
emigrated to the United States and was among the pioneer farm-
ers of Dunn county, Wisconsin, having located there in 1866,
where he lived and died. Tolof Gilbertson, the father, who was
a machinist by trade, came to Eau Claire in 1867. He was an
industrious and hard working man and worked at his trade at
the time of his death in 1911 at the age of sixty-three years. He
was the father of ten children, eight of whom are now (1914)
living, as follows: Mary is the wife of Charles Sullivan; Julius
C, Tilla, now Mrs. Vigo Neilson; Adolph, Cora, Victor, Robert,
and Clarence.
Julius C, whose whole life has been spent in Eau Claire,
acquired his elementary education in the public schools. In 1893
he matriculated with the University of Wisconsin, at Madison,
where he spent four years, graduating from the College of Letters
in the class of 1897. He was admitted to the bar of Wisconsin.
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 291
In 1898 he was elected judge of the munifipal court for a term
of four years, and in 1902 was re-elected.
Judge Gilbertson is a man of ripe scholarship, well grounded
in the fundamental principles of the law, with ability to apply
them in practice, and both as an office counsellor and a practi-
tioner in court has won most gratifying success. He is a repub-
lican in politics. He was a member of the state legislature in
1911. He is highly esteemed for his manly qualities, and by none
more than those intimately associated with him who know him
best. He is a member of Eau Claire Lodge, No. 242, A. F. and
A. M., the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Modern
"Woodmen of America, Knights of Pythias, I. S. W. A., and the
Sons of Norway.
Judge Gilbertson married in 1903 Miss Jessie McGrath, daugh-
ter of John F. and Mary (Burns) McGrath, one of the old and
highly respected families of Eau Claire. To Mr. and Mrs. Gil-
bertson have been born two children — Jocylyn M. and Julius C-
Gilbertson, Jr.
Joseph W. Singleton, a proiniiu'ut incinbt-r of the Eau Claire
county bar, was born in Louisville, St. Lawi'enee county, New
York, September 8, 1861, son of Peter and Ellen (McCarthy) Sin-
gleton, both natives of St. Lawrence county. Thomas Singleton,
paternal grandfather of Joseph W., was a native of England and
followed the trade of ship carpenter prior to coming to the
LTnited States, and was a soldier in the Napoleonic War. Emi-
grating to America, he became one of the pioneers of St. Lawrence
county, New York, where he engaged in farming and lived there
until his death.
The maternal grandfather, Dennis McCarthy, was a native of
County Mayo, Ireland, and was also a pioneer of St. Lawrence
county, settling on Long Sault Island, where he resided until his
death by drowning in Sault rapids. Peter Singleton, father of
Joseph, was a farmer by occupation, and spent his whole life
in the county where he was born, and died at the age of seventy-
two years.
Joseph W. was educated in the common schools of St. Law-
rence county, the Jesuit College, the Georgetown University of
Washington, where he was graduated with the degrees of bache-
lor of philosophy and bachelor of laws in 1888. He also after-
ward taught school for one year in the St. Joseph College, at
Burlington, Vt., and in October, 1889, was admitted to the bar of
that state and practiced his profession in Burlington three years.
292 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
He came west, and on January 4, 1892, located in Eau Claire,
where he has since carried on a successful practice of law. The
first two years after coming to Eau Claire he was connected with
the office of the late Thomas F. Frawley, and on February 1,
1894, became the first tenant in the Ingram Block where he has
since had his office.
Mr. Singleton was married to Miss Ellen Francis, daughter of
Patrick and Bridget (O'Brien) Gleason, of Cylon, St. Croix
county, Wisconsin, and four children have been born to them,
viz. : Joseph W., Jr., and Ellen Geraldine, twins ; Lydia F. and
Paul G. Mr. Singleton is a prominent member of St. Patrick's
Church, the Catholic Knights of Columbus. He served as city
attorney of Eau Claire from 1895 to 1897 and represented the
Sixth Ward as alderman in the Common Council for six years,
and was municipal .judge for four years, and in politics is a
democrat.
Lelon Ansil Doolittle, a prominent attorney of Eau Claire, was
born in Russell, St. Lawrence county, New York, July 22, 1853,
a son of Ansil, Jr., and Jane Ann (Smith) Doolittle. His great
grandfather, Abraham Doolittle, was one of five brothers who
were representative farmers, merchants and mechanics of their
day in the town of Cheshire, New Haven county, Connecticut.
The grandfather, Ansil Doolittle, married Maria King, and they
were the parents of three sons and three daughters. The eldest
son, Ansil, Jr., father of Lelon Ansil, married Jane Ann Smith,
and they were the parents of three sons and one daughter; the
latter married Edgar E. Davis. The eldest son, Marshall Erwin, is
a practicing physician. The youngest son, RoUin Edson, is a
lawyer, as is also our subject.
Lelon Ansil was reared on the farm, attended the district
school, and at the age of seventeen secured a second grade teach-
er's certificate and made a success as a school teacher. At the
age of twenty-two years he had completed a regular college
course and was graduated from the St. Lawrence University
with the class of 1875, paying his tuition by teaching as principal
of graded schools, selling subscription books, and farm laborer.
The practice of awarding honors at graduation had not then
been adopted in this institution, but his good work and conduct
were recognized by electing him to membership in Phi Beta
Kappa. Through the influence of friends he came to Wisconsin
in 1877 and settled at Neillsville, where, during the summer of
that year, he accepted the position as principal of the high school
of that city. After serving one year, he resigned and entered
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 293
the law department of the University of Wisconsin, finishing the
two-year course in one year. After graduating with the class
of 1879, he returned to Neillsville and was soon thereafter ap-
pointed county judge of Clark county. Up to that time no
indexes had been made of the probate records ; there was no court
calendar, minute book nor court record in the office ; all the papers
except such as had been lost or destroyed were in a heterogeneous
mass, but within six months every paper entitled to record was
recorded, and all the records of the office were as complete and
as perfect as it was possible to make them. Before his term of
oifiee as judge had expired he was elected county superintendent
of schools, a position he filled with honor to himself and to the
satisfaction of his constituents until he moved to Eau Claire in
January, 1885. While much of his time at Neillsville was taken
up with his official duties, he built up and conducted a success-
ful law business, and in 1879, in company with Hon. James
O'Neill, founded the Neillsville Times, which they edited jointly
until Judge Doolittle moved to Eau Claire, and which, under
their management, became the leading weekly paper of the
county.
Judge Doolittle came to Eau Claire to avoid newspaper work
and politics, and after his arrival gave his sole attention to the
practice of law, and has since been engaged in the general prac-
tice of his profession. He served as city attorney for three years,
and for several terms as president of the Associated Charities.
He has been one of the directors of the Eau Claire Public Library
for many years, and for several terms has been president of the
board. Since 1903 he has been largely interested iu real estate
in northern Wisconsin, being president of the Traders' Land Com-
pany, which is capitalized at ."filOjOOO.OO, and also of the Guaran-
teed Investment Company, with a capital of !^76,000.00, both of
which were incorporated in 1904.
Judge Doolittle was married May i, 1880, to Bessie Adams
Weeks, daughter of Friend and Betsey Maria (French) Weeks,
of Rutland, Vt., and they have one adopted son, Maxson Rusk
Doolittle. The judge is a member of the First Congregational
Church of Eau Claire.
Roy P. Wilcox has made an indelible impression on the public
life of Eau Claire, and, as a lawyer, stands preeminently high.
Tlirough his seventeen years as an active attorney he has come
to be recognized as one of the able practitioners of the bar of
Wisconsin.
Rov P. Wilcox was born in the city of Eau Claire, June 30,
294 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
1873, and is the son of Nelson C. and Angeline (Tewkesbury)
Wilcox. He is of English and Irish lineage and comes of one of
the oldest families in America, the Wilcox ancestry dating back
to early colonial days. He received his eai-ly education in the
public schools of Eau Claire and then took a course in the law
department of Cornell University, at Ithaca, N. Y., graduating in
the class of 1897. One year previous to his graduation he had
been admitted to the bar of Wisconsin, and immediately after
leaving Cornell he began the practice of his profession in his
native city. On September 1, 1897, he became a member of the
law firm of Prawley, Bundy & Wilcox; since the death of the
senior partner, July 1, 1902, the firm has been Bundy & Wilcox.
Mr. Wilcox has achieved success at a time in life when most
men are fortunate if they have laid the foundation for success ;
and this has been accomplished by his own ability and energy,
for he left college not only with exhausted resources, but with
debts to pay. While his success has been due mainly to his legal
abilities, he has shown a capacity for business that, of itself,
would have made him a success in commercial afi'airs, and has
been connected with some large projects that have been man-
aged most admirably, notably the water power and utility prop-
ei"ties formerly owned by the Chippewa Valley Railway, Light
and Power Company, the values of which were greatly enhanced
under the management of this company, of which he was one of
the organizers.
On occasions Mr. Wilcox has been active in public affairs, but
never as an official, nor obtrusively. For instance, Eau Claire
was the first city in Wisconsin to adopt the commission form of
government, and Mr. Wilcox was very distinctly connected with
the movement that culminated in that result. He assisted in
drafting the bill providing for government by commission in the
cities of Wisconsin, and when the bill was introduced in the
legislature he went to Madison and worked for its passage.
Then, when the bill became law, he took the platform in Eau
Claire to advocate the adoption of this form of government in
his home city, and to his efforts is due, in no small degree, the
fact that Eau Claire has its present satisfactory form of city
government.
After this he was invited to other places to address the citi-
zens on the new plan of managing civic affairs, with the result
that the commission form of government was adopted in every
city he visited, with two exceptions.
As a lawyer, Mr. Wilcox is both a wise counsellor and an
EOY P. WILCOX
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 295
exceedingly able advocate, and his record as a trial lawyer has
seldom been equalled. He has acted as attorney for railroads
and other corporations for years, defending them against damage
claims for injuries, losses, etc., and his success has been startling,
considering that he has had to appear before juries on the unpopu-
lar side of every such case. He is a forcible, logical, impressive
speaker, possessing forensic qualities of a high order, and a
manifest honesty of purpose glowing in all his efforts makes him
formidable as a pleader in any cause. During the last fifteen
years his firm has appeared on one side or the other of most of
the big legal cases in and around Eau Claire.
On June 17, 1903, Mr. Wilcox married Maria Louisa, daughter
of Manuel and Clementina (Santander) de Freyre, of Lima, Peru,
South America. They have two children, Louisa M. and
Francis J.
Mr. Wilcox is prominently connected with St. Patrick's Catho-
lic Church, of Eau Claire, the Knights of Columbus, the Sons of
the American Revolution, the Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks, the American Bar Association and the Wisconsin Bar
Association, of which he is a member of the committee on legal
education.
Martin B. Hubbard, ex-judge of the county court, was born
near London, Ontario, Canada, August 11, 1849. His parents,
Alfred and Mary A. (Dightou) Hubbard, who were natives of
Jefferson county, New York, emigrated to Eau Claire county,
Wisconsin, in 1865, settling on a farm in Bridge Creek township,
and were among the early pioneers and most progressive and
influential citizens of that town. The father retired from active
farm duties at the age of sixty-five years and moved to the city
of Eau Claire, where he died on May 6, 1908, at the age of eighty-
two years. His wife, mother of our subject, passed away March
31, 1910, aged eighty-four years. They were both devoted mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church and were held in the
highest esteem by all who knew them.
. The original Hubbard family emigrated from England to
America and were among the early settlers in Connecticut. Mar-
tin Hubbard, grandfather of Judge Hubbard, who was a success-
ful lumberman and manufacturer in Canada during the early
forties, died in 1855 at the age of fifty-five years. His wife,
Maria Putnam, died in 1866. Benjamin Dighton, maternal grand-
father of our subject, also a native of Jefferson county. New York,
whose wife was Amanda Cole, was a prominent Methodist clergy-
man in Canada.
296 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Martin Hubbard is the eldest of a family of four children,
the others being Amanda, wife of N. E. Pride, of Otter Creek
township, Eldred, also of Otter Creek, and Elva, wife of J. H.
Tifft, of Eau Claire. Judge Hubbard received his education in the
public schools of Canada and Augusta, Wis. He early served as
town clerk of Bridge Creek township, resigning that office in 1876
to enter the office of the clerk of court, and while thus engaged
commenced the study of law. In 1883 he entered the office of
L. R. Larson, as clerk, and while in that position performed the
duties of municipal judge under Larson. He was admitted to tlie
bar of Eau Claire county in 1883, continuing in Mr. Larson's
office until 1885, when he entered upon the practice of his pro-
fession, in which he has since continued. lie was elected judge
of the county court in 1896 and served one term of four years.
A republican in politics, he has been a member of the republican
central committee for ten years, and for eight years served as its
chairman. He has been a member of the board of education eight
years, and president of the same for two years. Judge Hubbard
is prominently identified with the commercial and financial inter-
ests of Eau Claire, being secretary of the II. T. Lange Company,
secretary of the Dells Lumber Company, secretary of the Reeds-
burg Canning Company and a member of the board of directors
of the Eau Claire National Bank and of the Eau Claire Savings
Bank. He stands high in Masonic circles, is a member of the Blue
Lodge, chapter and commandery.
In 1889 Judge Hubbard was married at Augusta, Wis., to
Miss Elizabeth Reed, daughter of William and Elizabeth
Reed.
William W. Downs, who ranks among the influential, success-
ful progressive members of the bar of Eau Claire county, Wis-
consin, was born in Menomonie, Dunn county. Wis., November 7,
1851. His parents, Burhee and Laura J. (Dunn) Downs, were
natives of eastern Maine, and pioneers of Dunn county, having
sctth'd at Menomonie in 1849, where the father engaged in the
hnuber business as a member of the firm of Knapp, Stout & Com-
pany. He later was a member of the firm of Carson, Rend &
Company, and then for a number of years was engaged in busi-
ness alone. After a residence in Eau Claire of a decade or more,
he died in about the year 1888 at the age of seventy-four.
William W. Downs came to Eau Claire in 1868, receiving his
primary education in the public schools of the city. He after-
wards entered the University of Wisconsin and was graduated
from tlie law department in 1874. He commenced the practice of
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 297
law the same year at Eau Claire, where he successfully continued
until 1886, when he removed to Bayfield county, "Wisconsin, and
was there actively engaged in the practice of his profession until
1913, then returned to Eau Claire and resumed his practice there.
Mr. Downs is a careful and conscientious student of the law, and
in his practice employs the force of a clear, logical and judicial
mind, thoroughly disciplined and trained by varied experiences
of his forty years of study and practice.
In June, 1874, he was wedded to Alice Daniels, a native of
Ohio. Mr. Downs is an attendant and supporter of the Lake
Street Methodist church, is a member of the Bayfield Lodge Free
and Accepted Masons, and a member of the Royal Arch Masons
of Eau Claire. While a resident of Bayfield, he served one term
as district attitrney for Bayfield county.
George J. Losby, who is one of the promising young lawyers
of Eau Claire, was born in that city June 30, 1873. His parents,
John and Christian Losby, were born in Norway and emigrated
to the United States in the late sixties. They settled in Eau
Claire, where the father was variously employed by different lum-
ber companies up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1901.
George J., the only son in tlic family, grew to manhood in this
city, obtaining his education in the public schools and in the Eau
Claire Business College, and for six years held a position as law
stenographer. He began the study of law in 1894 in the offices
of Judge William F. Bailey and L. A. Doolittle. He was admitted
to the bar in 1897 and in 1901 was elected clerk of the court, serv-
ing in that capacity five consecutive terms or a period of ten
years, and since 1910 has been in the active practice of his pro-
fession. He married in 1901 Miss Josephine Hansen, of Eau
Claire, and two children have been born : Alden and Idele Losby.
Mr. Losby is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church
and the I. S. W. A. Before the Eau Claire city government went
on the commission form basis he represented tlic Eighth ward in
the city council four years.
Chajles T. Bundy, member of the well known law firm of
Bundy & Wilcox, was born in Menomonie, Wis., March 2, 1862,
son of the late Judge Egbert B. and Reubena (Macauley) Bundy.
The father was born at Windsor, N. Y., the son of Dr. 0. T.
Bundy, of Deposit, that state. The mother was born in Glasgow,
Scotland, a daughter of William and Margaret Macauley.
Charles T. grew to manhood in Menomonie and there resided
until he came to Eau Claire in 1894. He was educated in the
public schools of his home rity and IMadison. graduating from the
298 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
law department of the State university and was admitted to prac-
tice in all the courts of the state, both state and federal, the
Supreme Court of the United States, courts of appeals in Chicago,
St. Louis and San Francisco. He commenced his practice at West
Superior in partnership with C. R. Fridley until he formed a
partnership with T. F. Frawley and Roy P. Wilcox in 1897, under
the name of Frawley, Bundy & Wilcox, which business arrange-
ment continued until the death of Mr. Frawley in 1902. Since
that time he has been associated with Mr. Wilcox under the firm
name of Bundy & Wilcox. Mr. Bundy has been connected with
much important litigation, among wliich may be mentioned the
following cases : Harrigan vs. Gilchrist, United States vs. Barber
Lumber Company et al., the Eau Claire National Bank vs. Jack-
man in the United States Supreme Coiu-t, and water power cases
in Wisconsin, including the famous Dells case.
On October 22, 1890, Mr. Bundy married Miss May Kelley,
daughter of John, Jr., and Cornelia (Drawley) Kelley, of Menom-
onie. To Mr. and Mrs. Bundy have been born four children, viz. :
Nell R., Katherine M., Egbert B. and Lillian, the youngest of
which died in 1910. Religiously Mr. Bundy affiliates with the
Episcopal church, while fraternally and socially he is a member
of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks.
Robert D. Whitford, attorney-at-law, was born in Jefferson
county. New York, July 2, 1851, son of Edward W. and Clarinda
(Odell) Whitford. Edward Whitford, paternal grandfather of
Robert D., was for many years a resident of Rensselaer county,
New York, and one of the pioneer farmers of Jefferson county,
that state, where he settled in 1833 and died in 1862, aged 84
years. Robert S. Odell, the maternal grandfather, was a farmer
of Rensselaer county. New York, where he died. The father of
Mr. Whitford farmed for several years in Jefferson county, and
later in Fayette county, Illinois, where he died in 1892.
Jlr. Whitford was reared in his native county, coming to
Wisconsin in 1869. He located at Milton. He took a classical
course in Milton college, read law in the office of Bennett & Sale,
at Janesville, and was admitted to the bar in November, 1878,
after which he located at Menomonie January 1, 1880. He prac-
ticed there until 1893, M^ien he went to Superior, and on Septem-
ber 1, 1899, located at Eau Claire. He married September 4, 1882,
Miss Anna Shaw West, a niece of the late Daniel Shaw, and they
have two children.
COURTS AND LEGAL PROGRESSION 299
George L. Blum, Judge of the County Court of Eau Claire
county, was born October 6, 1869, at Eau Claire, "Wisconsin. He
received his education in the public schools of Eau Claire and at
the University of Wisconsin, gradviating from the law depart-
ment in 1893, and was admitted to the bar the same year. In
February, 1895, he formed a partnership in Eau Claire with John
B. Fleming under the firm name of Fleming & Blum, which
arrangement continued until January 1, 1908, since which time
he has practiced alone. He was elected Judge of the County Court
in April, 1901, and is now — 1914 — serving his fourth term of six
years.
Judge Blum married Margaret D. McGillis, of Eau Claire, and
they are the parents of three children : Genevieve F., Margaret
G. and George L., Jr.
John Bernard Fleming, mayor of Eau Claire, was born in the
village of this name, June 27, 1866, to Michael and Catherine
Fleming, and is of Irish descent. His father was born in Buffalo,
New York, and his mother in Washington county, AVisconsin.
They settled in Eau Claire in 1865.
Mayor Fleming was educated in the parochial and public
schools, entered the law office of Levi M. Vilas in 1884, and was
graduated from the law department of the Minnesota State Uni-
versity, and was admitted to practice in the state and federal
courts of Minnesota in 1889, and to the state and federal courts
of Wisconsin in 1891. He became cashier of the Union Savings
bank of Eau Claire, and secretary of the Union Mortgag-e & Loan
Company in 1907, resigning when elected mayor in 1910 for a
term of six years, and is the first mayor of Eau Claire and Wis-
consin to serve under the new commission form of government.
He was associated in practice with George L. Blum for ten years,
M-as private secretary for Hon. William F. Vilas 1891 and 1892 ;
register of the United States land office in Eau Claire 1895-1900.
He is a member of the Elks, the Knights of Columbus and St.
Patrick's church. He married Edith S. Robinson at Milwaukee,
December 12, 1894, and has one daughter — Edith Marion.
Joseph C. Culver was born in Eau Claire, July 26, 1880, the
son of Joseph C. and Emma (Kern) Culver. He was educated in
St. Jolin"s Military Academy, Delafield, Wisconsin, and at the
Cornell University at Ithaca, New York. He was married Novem-
ber 8, 1905, to Miss Mary McDonough, of Eau Claire.
Henry McBain, attorney-at-law and judge of the Municipal
Court of Eau Claire, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York,
September 3, 1857, the son of John and Mary (Fisher) McBain,
300 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
and is of Scotch descent. He acquired an academical education
at Canton, New York, and came to Eau Claire county in 1871,
locating at Augusta, where for several years he was clerk in the
postoffice. Associated with others he was for three years engaged
in merchandising at Augusta. He was elected clerk of the Circuit
Court and came to Eau Claire in 1885. For sixteen years he
served as clerk of the court, during which time he studied law
and was admitted to the bar September 3, 1898, and since 1910
has served as municipal judge. He married Emma B. Crawford,
of Augusta, and has two children — Gladys and Mabel. Judge
McBain is a member of the A. F. and A. M., the R. A. M. and
Knights Templar.
Burt E. Deyo was born in Peru, Huron county, Ohio, son of
Erastus and Salome (Mauley) Deyo. The father was born in
New York state and descended from the Huguenots, while the
mother was born in Ohio of English ancestry.
Burt E. was educated at Oberlin College and the law depart-
ment of Harvard University ; read law in the oiRee of Bartlett &
Hayden, was admitted to the bar in 1882, and to practice in the
Supreme Court of the state in ] 900.
The foregoing list is not complete. We have endeavored to
make it complete, but many who are now living at Eau Claire
have neglected to furnish the proper data from which personal
mention could be made, while some others have died, and still
many others have moved away, and we have not been able with
reasonable eifort to reach them.
Among those omitted may be mentioned Texas Angel, Abel
W. H. Frawley, Frank R. Farr, De Alton Thomas, A. C. Larson,
A. H. Shoemaker, E. M. Bradford, Heman Day, T. F. Frawley, Jr.,
V. W. James.
In the early days the practice of law was not very remunera-
tive, and the strict method of procedure and decorum was not
always observed. It was within the province of the judge to
admit applicants to membership of the bar. Judge Fuller was
very accommodating in performing this part of his official duty.
It was not by him deemed essential that the applicant should
have even read or looked into a law book. All that he required
was that some members of the bar move the admission of the
applicant, and with one exception the motion was granted.
Hence we had a number of members of the bar not mentioned
in the foregoing statement who never read or practiced law,
among which were R. F. Wilson, James Gray, Captain Seeley and
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 301
some others whose names I do not now remember. The excep-
tion was Arthur Delaney, who edited a paper on the west side.
His admission was moved by Alexander Meggett. Evidently the
judge Avas not in a receptive mood, or else nourished a grievance
against Delaney. The judge promptly denied the application.
When asked for a reason he replied that Delaney was drunk.
The young Irishman's ire was aroused; he felt he had not only
been abused but grossly insulted. Quick as a flash he came back
with the retort: "Judge Fuller, you are so drunk yourself you
cannot get off the chair." The judge called upon the sheriff to
put him out. Delaney, as he was being forced through the door
by the obedient sheriff, turned and addressing the indignant
judge, said: "Judge Fuller, I am going over to my ofSce and I
will write an article about you which will cut a wound so deep
that even whiskey won't heal.'" And he did. It is not improb-
able that the judge was somewhat under the influence of ardent
spirits, which, if reports are true, lie was addicted to their use
in no slight degree.
Delaney was quite a character in some respects. He was able,
even brilliant, and possessed a genuine Irish wit to a considerable
degree. He was an ardent democrat and so was Dr. W. T. Gallo-
way. Democrats in those days were about as scarce as hens'
teeth. The congressional district was very large, with scattered
settlements here and there, and in the northwestern part of it
Pepin and Prescott on the Mississippi river were the most promi-
nent. Delaney and Galloway, with the latter 's team, started to
attend the convention at Pepin, some sixty miles west. They
had an ample supply of democratic enthusiasm with them. Every-
thing went along well until they reached a point somewhere near
Fall City, when a dispute arose, and the doctor, being a powerful
man, weighing over two hundred pounds, and Delaney rather
slight in build, threw Delaney out of the buggy and started on
without him. Delaney, not daunted by this little mishap, trudged
on on foot, occasionally catching a short ride, reached the con-
vention just as it was about to adjourn. He was granted the
privilege of addressing that body, and in the course of his remarks
explained why it was that his arrival was so late. In eloquent
words he stated how the doctor and himself had started out from
Eau Claire full of enthusiasm and of mind socially and politically ;
how a disagreement occurred over some slight matter, how the
doctor forcibly ejected him from the buggy; of his long and
weary march to reach the convention, and added: "Gentlemen
of the convention, that was a contest. It was a contest between
302 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
stomach and brains, and stomach was ahead." Ever afterward,
if you wanted to arouse the ire of the genial doctor, all that was
necessary was to refer to the closing remarks of Delaney.
A special term for the whole district was provided by law to
be held at Prescott, in the extreme northwest corner of the state,
in the month of July. There was no railway then from Eau
Claire, and the Eau Claire lawyers having business before the
court were obliged to journey by team, usually a two days' drive.
One morning Messrs. Meggett, Cousins, H. Clay Williams and
the Avriter started for Prescott to attend the July term. We got
started a little late owing to the fact that we had to wait a long
time for Mr. Cousins. His tardiness, however, was explained by
a statement of the fact that the night before a baby boy had come
to gladden his household, and thus Marshall, his first born, was
ushered into the world. It is needless to state that his tardiness
was excused. The first night we stopped at Brookville, near
Hersey, a stage station on the road from Eau Claire to Hudson,
if I remember right. It was about dusk, as we drove up; the
keeper of the stable came out with a lantern and was engaged in
assisting to i;nliitch the team, when Meggett asked him the ques-
tion: "Say, how many votes did I get in this town for senator?
My name is Meggett." The stable keeper, thinking for a
moment, replied: "I guess you got two." Meggett indignantly
retorted: "Well, if that is the case, we will drive on to the next
station." That he would not stay over night in a town where
he got only two votes. This was met by the statement from the
stable keeper: "If I was in your place I wouldn't mind. You
didn't get any votes in that town."
It was Judge Humphrey's first year upon the bench. We
returned by the way of Hudson and were the guests that evening
of the judge and his estimable wife. She was a most devout
Christian lady, and in the course of the evening, addressing her-
self to Mr. Williams, inquired if he was a member of the church,
and he, without even the slightest hesitation, replied: "Yes, of
the Episcopal church." If he had ever been inside of the church
no one ever had any recollection of it. She further inquired if
he was a member of the Bible class, to which he replied that he
was its leader. She was much interested and pursued her
inquiries as to whether many of the prominent residents of Eau
Claire belonged to the class, and, without even a smile, he replied,
"Most of them," mentioning Cal Spafl'ord, Jan Gray, Dick Wil-
cox and several others. To fully appreciate the cheek of Williams
under the circumstances a person would have to be acquainted
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 303
with the habits of himself and those he mentioned as members of
his Bible class. The judge was a great humorist and enjoyed a
practical joke. It was amusing to observe his efforts to keep his
face straight while Williams was thus responding to Mrs. Hum-
phrey's inquiries.
Another incident then I have done, although there were many
of a somewhat similar character that, occurred in those days
wliich would today shock the dignity of courts if indulged in.
At Judge Humphrey's first term at Chippewa Falls, Judge
Wiltse, a long time justice of the peace, applied for admission
to the bar. The judge appointed Mr. Cousins, Meggett and the
writer as a committee to examine him in open court as to his
((ualitii-atioiis. The court was held in Mitchell's Hall, if I recol-
lect i(iric(tly ; at any rate it was in a hall over the corner drug
store formerly kept by Harry Goddard. There was no court
house then. The room was full to overflowing, as almost the
entire population, as was usual, were present. Andrew Gregg,
Jr., was district attorney and the only resident lawyer. Some
farmer who owned a pair of mules had hitched them immediately
in front of the hall. While the committee in the presence of the
court was proceeding with great dignity in interrogating Mr.
Wiltse one of the mules set up an unearthly bray. Mr. Gregg,
wlio was in the back end of the hall, immediately addressed the
court : ' ' Hold on ! Hold on ! There is another jackass that wants
to be admitted."' It seems that Mr. Gregg liad no liking for
Mr. Wiltse.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE MEDICAL FRATERNITY.
As far back as history takes us we fiud that as soon as meu
began to dAvell together in the primitive tribe there was one of
this number who was known as the "Medicine Man." In Biblical
times people lived to be much older than now, and were evidently
not as much subject to sickness and disease, so our medicine man
could serve many, but sooner or later sickness has overtaken all
and then they seek the aid of one who knows something of the
healing art. In those primitive times the healers sought to cure
people by charms and by driving away the evil spirits through
noises, and thus they beat on drums and sang songs. This primi-
tive idea has not altogether disappeared to the present day, as
witnessed by Dowieism and other cults, who maintain that disease
is the work of the devil, who must first be driven out before the
person can get well.
Following the idea of charming awa.y disease came the dia-
tetic idea, in which health was to be maintained only through
the eating of certain foods and avoiding others. This was exem-
plified by the Jewish race.
Next we come to the physiologic period, when the functions
of the various organs were paramount, and the symptoms they
produced were the sole thing to be regarded in treating disease.
To a certain extent this is used to the present day, but we have
added to it the etiologic period of medicine, in which we endeavor
to discover the cause of the disordered function of any organ.
This has been made possible only through the vast laboratory
researches that have been carried out during the past fifty years,
by the discovery of bacteria and by animal experiments to deter-
mine the part the bacteria play in man's anatomy. Also in the
discovery of the cell or unit of which our body is composed and
observing the changes that occur in these cells as the result of
disease. Thus it is that medicine has changed from an act to a
science. It has not reached the pinnacle of an exact science, but
it is approaching that goal. When we consider how we have con-
quered many of the dread diseases, as diphtheria, typhoid fever,
malaria, etc., and robbed them of their terror through the knowl-
edge of their cause and the application of the one and the only
30i
THE MEDICAL FRATERNITY 305
thing that will destroy that particular cause, then we begin to
realize what is being accomplished in modern medicine.
The Panama canal stands not only as a monument to the skill
and energy of American engineers, but even more to the glory
of American physicians. DeLesseps' failure was not due to a
lack of skill or courage on his part, but to yellow fever and
malaria. The medical profession has paved the way for this great
undertaking by discovering and proving that certain mosquitos
are responsible for the spread of both these dread disease, but
not until two loyal and unselfish physicians, Carroll and Lazear,
had given their lives to prove this. Today we know that if we
destroy the mosquito we can stamp out yellow fever and malaria.
As a result of the energies of the American physicians the Canal
Zone, with its heterogeneous population, has been made more
healthy than New York City.
When Eau Claire county was first organized and began to be
settled the etiologic phase of medicine was unknown. All the
diseases we now know were known then and were perfectly
described except for their cause, and armed with this knowledge
the pioneer doctors came into this wilderness and worked hard
and faithfully in the endeavor to relieve the suffering of their
fellow men. There being but few doctors in this section the
mother of the family applied "home remedies" as long as she
could before sending for a doctor, who often came too late. There
was, therefore, great rejoicing when the first doctor came into
the county and cast his lot with those early pioneers. The people
were scattered and drives were long and hard, especially in the
Manter. In those days there were not the fine roads we have now.
but one had to pick his way around stumps, over logs and through
creeks. Many times the doctor had to go afoot or on horseback
because the roads would not permit the use of a buggy. Without
the telephone a man had to drive for the doctor, and if he lived
twenty or thirty miles away the doctor could not get there until
the next day. Many trips were so long that it required two days
to make the trip and return. The people were very poor and
were unable to pay more than a very meager compensation or
nothing at all for the services rendered. However, those early
men cared not for that, they went and did all they could to relieve
the suffering. They often had to act as nurse as well as physician.
They sat by the sick bed for long weary hours to see whether the
spark of life was going to be snuffed out or would take on added
vigor and begin to burn anew. They were the recipients of family
secrets and their advice was sought in times of trouble. They
306 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
healed and soothed the troubled mind, soul and body with their
cheerful words, kindly advice, or some simple decoction. Is it
any wonder that they gained a place in the hearts of the people
that could not be supplanted, and as long as they were able to
drag one foot were sought, and no one else would do but the
old family doctor?
As preachers and lawyers were equally scarce, the doctor was
called upon to perform the services of both, and was held to be
thoroughly competent. In those days there were no specialists,
so the family doctor administered to all ailments. Today certain
men specialize on different parts of the body, and become more
expert in dealing with that part. They are thus enabled to give
the people better service, but in order to do this they have sacri-
ficed much in the love and esteem in which they were held in the
hearts of the people. Who would think of going to an eye
specialist or an abdominal surgeon with his family troubles and
expect sympathy and advice? The days of the old-time family
physician are past. To be sure we still have the general prac-
titioner who looks after the general sickness in the family, and is
ready to call the aid of some one especially skilled when needed.
Indeed this must be so when we considered what is being done
all around us. Some wealthy men, as John D. Rockefeller and
McCormick, have given large sums of money to establish research
laboratories, to equip them, and to pay men to devote their whole
lives to the study of one disease, as infantile paralysis, etc.
Some men are devoting their lives and energies to performing
and perfecting surgical operations, so that today there is not a
single organ of the body that is not the subject of operation. And
then there is the pathologist and physiologist, who works in the
laboratory experimenting with animals to ascertain the cause of
disease and its treatment before applying the same to man (yet
there are those who would say do not experiment with animals
in order to learn how to save a human life, but rather let men
die). When we consider these and the many more departments
of medicine, with all the accumulating knowledge, it is no wonder
that one poor man cannot master them all.
About the only thing that keeps alive the old spark of grati-
tude and love for the general practitioner is his obstetrics. He
who stands beside a woman during her suffering and comforts
her and encourages her in her great and holy, yet trying mission,
of bringing a new soul into the world endears himself to her in
a way that is not easily forgotten or cast aside. What a pleasure
THE MEDICAL FRATERNITY 307
it is and what gratitude one receives only he who has had the
experience knows.
The doctor's life must be an unselfish one, for how often is
he aroused from a sound sleep or disturbed while at a meeting, a
social gathering, to go and relieve the suffering. If he is fortu-
nate enough to make a discovery or invent some new instrument
he does not hurry to the patent office to protect himself and
enrich his purse, but gladly gives his knowledge to his brothers
for the good of mankind. This has been handed down to him
from the days of Hippocrates that he is in honor bound to impart
all good knowledge to his worthy brother practitioners. Neither
does he go to the newspaper office that his fame may be heralded
abroad, but rather spreads the glad tidings only among those
who will be able to use them. And many is the doctor, whose'
epitaph has overtaken him, long before his good works are known.
Grant, Sherman and Napoleon are household names, because they
have commanded armies and lead many men to death, while
Pasteur, Koch, Virchon, Seun, Billings, and hosts of others are
hardly known, and yet for every life the generals have sacrificed
these men have saved hundreds. Few people know what a debt
they owe to Lord Lister, when he discovered that by the use of
antiseptic, surgical operations could be performed without being
followed by the dread hospital gangrene or suppuration. This,
together wuth the i;se of anesthesia, has enabled the surgeon to
go fearlessly at his task, and thus Darwin's law of the "survival
of the fittest" no longer applies.
As there were no large cities in this county, hospitals were
slow to make their appearance, and the doctors were compelled
to perform many operations in private houses, which they did
with the skill and success of their more fortunate brethren at
the hospital in the cities.
A doctor not only devotes his time and energies to the study
of cause and treatment of disease, but places before himself the
higher ideal of preventive medicine. Thus, he goes about telling
Ijeople how to live to avoid sickness. However, they are very
slow to change their habits that they may enjoy better health.
If you tell them to eat plainer food and masticate it more thor-
oughly, so as to avoid dyspepsia, they think they are wasting too
much time. If you tell him to live in the sunshine and exercise
more they are afraid they will neglect their business. When you
tell them to breathe plenty fresh air and sleep with windows
open at night, they are greatly alarmed lest some dread monster
308 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
will come in with the "night air," little thinking that after sun-
down all air is ' ' night air. ' ' People are no more ready to harken
to our modern physicians than they were to the great physician
when lie said, "Oh, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how oft would I have
gathered you under my wings as a hen gathers her chickens, and
ye would not."
(The above excellent article is liere supplemented with a short
sketch of the hospitals and the lives of the physicians of the
county, living and dead, as far as we have been able to obtain
them.)
SACRED HEART HOSPITAL.
The Sacred Heart Hospital, of Eau Claire, was first started in
1889, by the Sisters of Saint Frances. Tlie first building con-
tained seventeen rooms and was xmder the charge of three sisters.
Since this time the buildings have been three times enlarged, the
last building being erected in 1912, is used as a convent for the
sisters, while the entire upper floor is used as the operating room.
The Sacred Heart Hospital is the oldest in the city, and the large
three-story brick buildingb are located on a large plat of ground
high on the hill, which affords an abundance of fresh air for its
patients. The hospital has now accommodation for one hundred
and thirty patients, whose wants are looked after by thirty-four
sisters. This institution is open for all classes regardless of their
religious belief, and all doctors of good repute are admitted to
practice. Tlie mother hospital is located at the city of Spring-
field, 111.
LUTHER HOSPITAL.
Efforts to establish a Protestant hospital in Eau Claire were
made as early as 1895. But no practical results from this or sub-
sequent attempts were obtained until 1905, when it was decided
by some ministers attending a United Church convention at
Menomonie, Wis., to call a mass meeting to consider said matter.
At this mass meeting, which was held at Eau Claire, February
9, 1905, it was imanimously resolved to establish a Protestant
hospital in Eau Claire to be called Luther Hospital. Thereupon
two committees were elected, one for incorporation and one for
soliciting funds.
On the first of May, 1905, the hospital association was incor-
porated by John Gaustad, M. 0. Waldal, Peder Taugjerd, Alfred
Cypreansen and Peder B. Treltsad.
The Hoyme property, on which an option had previously been
THP] MEDICAL FRATERNITY 309
secured, was bought July 31, 1905, and an adjoining property-
secured later on. During the fall of 1906 the basement wall of
the proposed hospital was built and the building proper erected
during the summer and fall of 1907. On account of unavoidable
delay cornerstone laying and dedication was deferred until Sun-
day, August, 30, 1908, the main speeches being delivered by Con-
gressman Lenroot and President J. N. Kindahl, of St. Olaf Col-
lege. But five months earlier on March 30, 1908, Luther Hospital
threw open its doors to receive the unfortunate sick of the com-
munity and accomplish the glorious work for which it was estab-
lished.
The articles of incorjioratiou and by-laws of Luther Hospital
provide for an association, the membership of which is open to all
upon the payment of a membership fee of il^lO.OO and a due of
$1.00 annually. The present membership is over 100. It has been
as high as 272.
The general management of the hospital is vested in a board of
directors of five members (origiualh^ nine), of which a majority
must belong to some Lutheran church. This board may appoint
additional officers, make by-laws, rules and regulations and have
general control and supervision of the affairs of the corporation,
subject to the association.
The first board of directors were: George M. Rand, Syver
Rekstad, S. 0. Mauseth, P. B. Trelstad, Peder Tangjerd, H. C.
Hanson, M. 0. Waldal, L. I. Roe and T. Slagsvol. M. 0. Waldal
was elected president, L. I. Roe vice-president, Peder Tangjerd
secretary and H. C. Hanson treasurer. Besides these the follow-
ing have served as directors: Carl Luudquist, M. 0. Soley,
A. Anderson, Alfred Cypreansen, H. M. Knudtson, Guuder
Thompson and Chr. Midelfart.
The special management of the hospital is vested in a " direct-
ing sister" (deaconess), who shall admit and receive pay from
patients, purchase provisions, direct the training school, secure
the necessary help and have general supervision of patients, sis-
ters, nurses and other workers of the institution, subject to the
board and corporation. As it proved impossible from the begin-
ning to secure any deaconess the board was fortunate enough to
secure the services of an exceedingly able graduate nurse from
the Augustana Hospital, Chicago, 111., Miss Ida C. L. Isaacson.
As superintendent of nurses she had opened two hospitals before,
and Luther Hospital had the benefit of her experience, as she
practically directed the furnishing of the hospital (the purchase
of operating and sterilizing outfits, furniture, bedding, medical
310 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
and surgical supplies, pi-ovisions, etc.), started the training school
and worked to secure such patronage from the doctors and gen-
eral public as was necessary that the hospital might be able to
perform the work for which it was established.
After her resignation Miss Margaret Thomas, of this city,
served as superintendent of nurses about eight months until at
last Luther Hospital, in accordance with its original plan of
organization, secured the services of a deaconess from the Nor-
wegian Lutheran Deaconess' Home and Hospital, Chicago, our
able present directing sister, Amalia Olson, under whose wise
direction Luther Hospital and its training school have become
such a marked success. On July 17, 1912, the hospital was for-
tunate enough to secure the services of an'other deaconess from
the Chicago mother house. Sister Agnes Daae, who has proved
herself a very efficient and valuable assistant.
After thorough investigation the beautiful home and grounds
of the late Rev. G. Hoyme, president of the United Norwegian
Lutheran Church of American, was unanimously decided upon as
hospital site. It is located near the center of the city in a resi-
dence section, away from the busy business streets and the noise
and smoke of the factories and railroads. A fine view may be
had from the hospital to a small lake two blocks away; and the
street cars running by afford easy access from all directions.
Luther Hospital, when completed according to plans, will consist
of three parallel buildings, planned so as to admit air, light and
sunshine in every sick room and connected with a corridor, reach-
ing from street to street, crossing all the three buildings, a dis-
tance of about 200 feet. The central building (the one now in
use) is 81x43 feet, and the two wing buildings will be about
115x45 feet each, all of them three stories beside basement and
attic. The west wing to be built as soon as possible will be called
Sigvald Qvale Memorial. At the present time the hospital con-
sists of three buildings: the above mentioned main or central
building, the laundry and the nurses' home, the late Rev. Hoyme 's
residence. This is a large commodious wooden building with
ample accommodations for the nurses.
The building is fireproof, only floors, doors, casings and win-
dow frames being of Avood. Elevator and stair opening are
inclosed to prevent draft, and the roof is covered with slate, so
the building practically cannot burn, an extremely important
thing in a hospital.
The building is equipped with Paul vacuum system for even
distribution of heat and the direct-indirect ventilation to secure
THE MEDICAL FRATERNITY 311
pure fresh air in rooms and corridors. The laundry was per-
manently located in a separate concrete building (24x36) in the
rear. It is fitted up with steam, hot and cold water and electric
current, ready for the machinery. "With the exception of the dry
house none of the permanent machinery has yet been installed,
however. The home is fitted up for the nurses, the whole second
floor being used for dormitory. The first floor contains a large
commodious nurses' parlor, three smaller sleeping rooms and a
patients' ward of seven beds. As the present hospital building
will form the main or central part of the completed building it
had to be arranged so that all the important special hospital
accessories were placed there. The office, waiting room, elevator
as well as the operating, culinary and heating departments must
therefore necessarily be located in said building in order to con-
veniently serve the two wings or buildings to be erected on both
sides later on. When all buildings are completed this central
part will most likely be used exclusively for administration and
nurses' home. The basement contains the X-ray department,
kitchen, storage and pantry rooms, service kitchen, dining room,
beside a couple of rooms now used by the help. Ambulance
entrance to elevator is also to be found here. First floor has
office, waiting room, service kitchen, toilet rooms, dressing room,
men's ward, drug room and five private rooms. Second floor is
arranged like the first, only instead of office and waiting rooms
there are two more private rooms. Third floor has the same
amount and arrangement of private rooms as the second. But
here we find the all important operating department, which is
entirely separated from the rest of the floor. First an ante-room
with lockers. To the left instrument room. Straight ahead the
sterilizing room with the two operating rooms, one on each side.
The equipment is first class. Sterilizing outfit, operating tables,
instruments, etc., are of the most up to date. Furniture, bedding,
etc., are of a better quality than found in most hospitals. The
best is none too good for the unfortunate sick and sufl'ering.
Ever since Luther Hospital opened its doors its aim has been
to be strictly modern in every way. We are very glad to
announce that since our last report was issued we have been able
to make another much needed improvement by the establishment
of an X-ray department and that we are now in position to meet
the great demands for X-ray work. The apparatus used is of
the very latest modern type and the equipment is complete in
every detail. No expense has been spared to bring everything
as near perfection as possible and our department represents the
312 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
last word in X-ray work. It is possible with this apparatus to
make a picture of any part of the body in a few seconds, elimi-
nating the danger at one time present when it was necessary to
make an exposure of several minutes or hours. The best of
machinery and instruments, however, are of little or no value
without a competent person in charge. We consider ourselves
very fortunate in having secured so able and experienced a man
for this department as Dr. Baird. Both the institution and the
city of Eau Claire are to be congratulated that our X-ray depart-
ment is in charge of a man of such experieuce and ability. The
high grade of work done is attested by the constantly increasing
patronage of the department.
Since March 23, 1908, when three pupils were admitted to the
Luther Hospital Training School for Nurses, there has been made
a rapid progress. "We have been fortunate to secure enough
applicants and every year brings us more than we can take care
of. From March, 1908, to January, 1909, Miss Isaacson had
charge of the training school and Miss Margaret Thomas from
February, 1909, till October, 1909. Since November, 1909, the
training school has been in charge of Sister Amalia, who for
almost three years had the able assistance of Miss Howlaud, who
on account of ill health was forced to resign from her duties. For-
tunately Sister Agnes arrived in time to begin with the fall work
of 1912.
MONTGOMERY HOSPITAL.
The old hospital or sanatorium was founded in 1898. Then
the Inebriate law, which compelled the taking into the institution
all inebriates and persons afflicted Avith the drug habit, was in
force. They treated nearly four thousand of such cases. But
owing to some doubt which sprang up among some of the attor-
neys of the state the law was brought to a test and declared
unconstitutional. In 1908 Dr. Montgomery constructed the new
hospital, which is situated on the site of the old sanatorium, at
the corner of Oxford avenue and Central street, one block north
from the court house. This hospital is divided into wards : mater-
nity, special and general, with a contagious ward entirely cut
off from the other apartments. The present inventory of the
institution is fifty-four thousand dollars ($54,000), and during
the past year the Drs. Montgomery have installed a new and
powerful apparatus with accessories for every kind of thermo
therapy. The Montgomery Hospital presents no distinction as
to race, difference of religious beliefs or circumstances in life. It
THE MEDICAL FRATERNITY 313
is under the direct control of the Drs. Montgomery, but its facil-
ities are at the command of any reputable physician or surgeon,
to whom are given assurance of faithful and efficient service.
They offer better inducement in the hospital ticket line than
any other hospital in existence. They have three classes of tickets
in the field. The leader is a ten dollar ticket, which insures the
holder against all sickness or accidental injury regardless of
what the cause may be. The $7.50 ticket has not the same excep-
tions that other hospitals have, and is much more liberal than the
so-called accident and benefit policies. The family ticket is the
largest opportunity in the field. Just think of insuring the health
of any member of your family for one year for fifteen or twenty-
five dollars ! The tickets cover all expenses in case of operations
of any kind. There is no age limit. All that is required is that
the purchaser be in good physical and mental condition when he
buys the ticket. The training school presents a three years' course
of practical and theoretical training in modern medical and sur-
gical science. The nurses entering the institution to prepare for
their life's work get a practical knowledge of cases of all kinds.
They get also the benefit of the lectures given by outside physi-
cians and citizens, and the efficiency of the work of the graduates
is proven by the fact that they are continually in demand.
TUBERCULOSIS SANATORIUM.
The Eau Claire County Tuberculosis Sanatorium was officially
opened on Monday, December 15, 1913, when the twenty patients
who had made application were admitted for treatment.
"When approaching the new institution one is struck by the
beauty of the site. It is situated ou the south slope of Mt. Wash-
ington, protected from north and westerly winds by the bluff.
The front windows overlook the Chippewa Valley. The site con-
sists of nine acres of well drained land, where the patients may
pitch their tents or build their shacks, or work in the garden, that
will be kept in connection, if they are able. The view from every
window is grand. A long search for a better site than the present
would probably be in vain. The building is cement plaster and
sloat finished, contracted for by the E. M. Fish Company for
$16,000, exclusive of equipment. The site was purchased by the
Eau Claire Anti-Tuberculosis Society, which also guaranteed
equipment. This was raised by popular subscription. It is due
to the efforts of the committee that the society has been so suc-
cessful in raising enough money for equipping the institution.
314 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Following is what the county has done for the tuberculosis sana-
torium: April, 1912, $4,000 appropriated; November, 1912,
$12,000 tax levy made ; April, 1913, $500 appropriated ; November,
1913, $8,266.35 appropriated and $12,000 tax levy made ; $20,000
of this remains.
The two wings of the building are occupied by twenty-four
patients' single rooms and four large porches at the ends of the
wings. These porches are open and have only heavy canvas cur-
tains, which were put iu place by William Schroeder.
The four patients' single rooms were furnished at an esti-
mated cost of $33 each, but in reality cost a little more. They
have their windows in the front of the building with the hall in
the rear. The large part to the rear is occupied by the kitchen,
serving rooms, office and cook's and maid's apartments. It may
be interesting to know that the large living room and dining-
room was furnished by a donation from the Elks and Knights of
Columbus, and that much of the mission furniture was manufac-
tured at our own Phoenix Furniture Company. The lodges fur-
nished the electric fixtures also. These were furnished by the
county in the other rooms.
The floors throughout the building are of hardwood and all
the walls are of the same spotless white. There are magazines
and books on the rack beside the large cheerful fireplace. The
woodwork is selected Georgia pine with two panel doors. The
mantelpiece is a solid three-inch piece of the same wood. The
next place to be inspected was the kitchen, where Mrs. Julia A.
Brown holds full sway. It is here that all the food will be cooked.
The cupboard is used for the dishes of the nurses and the help
and such supplies as are needed for the day. A splendid Majestic
range is to be seen here, which was purchased from the Foss- Arm-
strong Company. The Norden Lodge donated the money for this
and also for the fine kitchen utensils, which were purchased from
Schlieve Bros. The fine cooling room was built by the "Wisconsin
Refrigerator Company, and paid for by a donation from the
Masonic Lodge. The dishes used in the institution are the
unbreakable rolled edge Syracuse china purchased through Mr.
Richard Kaiser, the money being given by the Norwegian
Lutheran church and a $50 check from an "Unknown Friend."
Nothing that leaves the kitchen going to the patients will
return. The food is taken to the serving room, where it is dished
up by the maid. When the dishes are returned they are washed
and sterilized. The same care that is used here is in force all over
the building, so there is no danger of infection. A dumb waiter
THE MEDICAL FRATERNITY 315
is used for sending the food to patients on the upper floor and
bringing supplies up from the basement. The office of the super-
intendent, ]\Iiss Ramstead, is simply furnished, as she will spend
much of her time looking after the patients. There will be two
other day nurses and one night nurse on the staff. Dr. R. E.
Mitchell will serve in the capacity of visiting physician. Miss
Ramstead 's parents live in this city, but she has for several years
been connected with the city hospital at Minneapolis.
The entrance will be in the angle of the building on the east
side. This opens into the reception room, adjoining the superin-
tendent's office. The drive leads around the building.
The single rooms on the first floor are very cheerfully fur-
nished, with the regulation hospital beds and a solid maple chair.
A flue for ventilation opens into each room. It was planned to
have a locker for the patients' clothes under these flues, but it
was found to be too great an expense, so closets have been pro-
vided. There are drinking fountains in the halls and bath rooms
within easy reach.
The halls open onto the porches at either end and the beds will
pass through the doors easilj% so when the patients cannot be
moved their beds can be rolled out. There are two windows in
each room, so there will not be a lack of light. There are two
wheel chairs for those who are able to sit up, and more will be
provided later if it is seen that they are necessary.
Two double nurses' rooms occupy the front of the second floor.
They are furnished with a fumed oak dresser and chairs. Across
the hall is the room that will be occupied by the night nurse. The
patients' rooms are the same as those on the flrst floor and there
is a ward containing four beds. The sanitary rugs which were
given by the Woman's Club deserve particular mention, as they
were seen in every patient's room and in the living room. The
women of the club sewed the rags for them during the last sum-
mer and had them woven by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Koshoshck,
McDonough street. C. H. Metcalf will have charge of the base-
ment. There is a grocery room, a vegetable room, the janitor's
room, rooms for coal and wood, a laundry and a trunk room.
The object of the sanatorium is to provide treatment for the
more advanced cases of pulmonary tuberculosis from Eau Claire
county. Should there at any time be vacancies, suitable patients
from other counties may be admitted. In every instance the
patient must make an application for admittance, and no one will
be received without having received a previous notice from the
superintendent. So far as is practical, the treatment will consist
316 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
essentially of out of door living, an abundance of wholesome,
nutritious food together with supervision of exercise and rest.
Such medical treatment as seems best indicated will be prescribed
for the individual case. As a part of their prescribed exercise
l^atients may be required, as their condition permits, to do a cer-
tain amount of useful labor. This applies equally to those paying
for their maintenance, as well as to those who do not pay.
Application for admission to the sanatorium must be made in
writing upon blanks provided for that purpose, which will be fui--
nished by the superintendent upon request. As soon as this formal
routine is completed in a satisfactory way the applicant may be
admitted.
It is expected that every patient will pay the cost of his or her
maintenance, if able to do so. This amount, at present, is $10.00
per week but may be raised or lowered at any time if found
necessary or advisable.
For those unable to pay any part of their maintenance, pro-
vision is made whereby they may be admitted at the expense of
the county in which they reside upon recommendation of the
judge of the probate court. For those desiring to take advantage
of this provision of the law, necessary blanks will be furnished
upon request. To meet the requirements of those who are unable
to pay the full cost of their maintenance, but who are able or
desirous of paying a portion of the amount, provision is made
for a rate of $5.00 per week, if the probate judge, after investiga-
tion, shall have found that tlie patient is really unable to pay
more than that amount.
Clarence Sprague, Charles A. Cox and W. K. Coffin are the
trustees of the institution.
The following is the list of those who furnished the rooms —
and they are given in the order in which they were received.
Later the rooms will be numbered to correspond with this list.
1. The Rev. A. B. C. Dunne. 2. Tom Fleming. 3. Mrs. Kate
Porter. 4. Alex Dean. 5. 0. H. Ingram. 6. Mr. and Mrs. George
Lufkin. 7. German Reading Club. 8. Chippewa Valley Ladies'
Aid (Jewish). 9. Louis Levy. 10. Labor Organizations (A. T.
Le Due). 11. The Kepler Co. 12. Ninth Ward Social Center.
13. Knights of Maccabees. 14. Mrs. C. H. Ingram. 15. Tenth
Ward Civic Center League. 16. ShawtoM^n Ladies. 17. St.
John's German Lutheran Church (Rev. A. F. Augustine). 18.
Our Saviour's Norwegian Lutheran Church. 19. E. B. Ingram.
20. Mt. Hope Church (Town of Brunswick). 21. Christ Episco-
THE MEDICAL FRATERNITY 317
pal Church. 22. Helping Hand Society (Town of Washington).
23. U. C. T. 24. King's Daughters of Shawtown.
In closing, special mention may be made of the fine appear-
ance of the building when it was lighted up. It was remarked by
several as they approached it in the evening, "that it had the ap-
pearance of a fine summer hotel in the mountains."
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
The organization of the American Medical Association in
1846-47, as a national representative body composed of dele-
gates from the several states, gave a fresh and strong impetus
to the woi-k of uniting the members of the profession in social
organizations for mutual improvement and scientific advance-
ment, in every part of the country. Wisconsin as well as nearly
every state in the Union has her medical society, and a few years
ago the medical society of the Chippewa Valley was organized,
to which a good many doctors from Eau Claire county held mem-
bership, and in 1902, the Eau Claire County Medical Society was
formed with the greater part of the practicing physicians as mem-
bers. The first president of the society was Dr. J. V. R. Lyman,
who in turn has been succeeded by doctors J. F. Farr, Chr Midel-
fart, D. W. Ashum, A. L. Payne and F. S. Cook. The purpose of
the organization is to bring the doctors closer together, and create
a good fellowship feeling atoong them, and for the discussion of
important medical subjects. Special papers are discoursed at
the meetings by members of the society on the important issues
of the day, calculated to impart to the members the latest dis-
coveries in medical science for the up-to-date treatment of dis-
ease.
The following is a list of the members of the society :
Dr. D. W. Ashum, P. B. Amundson, J. 0. Arnson, J. C. Baird,
R. R. Chase, W. J. Clancy, F. S. Cook, M. C. Crane, H. F. Derge,
J. F. Farr, L. H. Flynn, H. A. Fulton, J. B. Goddard, Dr. E. P.
Hayes, E. S. Hayes, A. P. Hahn, Sue Ilebard, Dr. Fred Johnson,
F. A. La Breck, J. V. R. Lyman, E. L. Mason, J. Mathiesen, C.
Midelfart, R. E. Mitchell, Alex. Montgomery, John L. Montgom-
ery, Wm. Montgomery, A. L. Payne, H. P. Prill, P. E. Riley, W.
0. Seemann, E. M. A. Sizer, G. M. Smith, A. D. H. Thrane, E. E.
Tupper, R. F. Werner, E. H. Winter, S. Williams, C. W. Wil-
kowske, A. E. Olson, Oscar Knutson, H. C. Ericksen.
338 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Edwin J. Farr, M. D., came to Kenosha in 1855, and the fol-
lowing year removed to Prairie du Sac, Sauk county, and in 1857
to Mauston, Juneau county, and in 1869 to Eau Claire. He was
born at Corinth, Orange county, Vermont, August 24, 1832. He
was educated at Castleton Medical College and graduated in
1851, and practiced at White River Junction, Vermont, until he
came to Wisconsin. He was assistant surgeon of the Second Wis-
consin Volunteer Infantry for five months, and with Thirtieth
Wisconsin Regiment for nearly three years. He was post surgeon
at Ft. Sully from July, 1863, to October, 1864, and had charge of
the prison hospital at Louisville from January to August, 1865.
Dr. Farr was mayor of the city of Eau Claire and railroad
surgeon for the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha and the
Wisconsin & Minnesota Railway Companies. He was a member
of the A. F. & A. M. (Grand High Priest and Grand Master),
I. 0. 0. F. and A. 0. U. W. He was married at White River Junc-
tion in January, 1855, to Emily L. Sawyer. They had two chil-
dren, tAvins: Ewin B. and Emily B., born August 14, 1867. Dr.
Farr died July 10, 1914.
Dr. W. T. Galloway was born in Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence
county, New York, April 15, 1822, and graduated from Castleton
Medical College at Castleton, Vermont. He began practice in
1850. He went to Fond du Lac in 1851, remaining there until he
came to Eau Claire in 1857. He was appointed register of the
United States land office, and held that position until 1861. He
served six years as alderman of Eau Claire, was supervisor three
years when Eau Claire was a village, and six years after it became
a city. He was engaged for four years in the manufacture of
lumber on Duncan creek, near Chippewa Falls, and for twelve
years in foundry and machine shops in Chippewa Falls and Eau
Claire, besides managing a farm. In 1874 he built the Galloway
house and numerous dwellings. He erected the foundry and
machine shops at Chippewa Falls, which was later converted into
gas works. He stood as an ancient Odd Fellow and had taken aU
the degrees in Masonry.
Charles E. Hogeboom, M. D., came to Eau Claire and engaged
in the piactice of medicine in May, 1876. He graduated from
Rush Medical College, class of 1869, and began his practice at
Blackberry Station, Kane county, Illinois. He went from there
to St. Charles, and remained there until he came to Eau Claire.
He was born in DeKalb county, Illinois, April 28, 1846, and was
educated in the public schools of that county, and the high school
at Sycamore and by private instruction.
THE MEDICAL FRATERNITY 319
Henry G. Morgan, M. D., came to Wisconsin in 1869 and
located at Alma, where he practiced two years. He came to Eau
Claire in 1871 and began his practice. He was born in Brecks-
ville, Ohio, and got his medical education at the Chicago Medical
College, graduating in the spring of 1868.
Dr. James H. Noble M'as born in Madison, March 30, 1851. He
was educated at the University of Wisconsin and studied medicine
Avith Dr. Boweu, of Madison. He graduated from the Hahne-
mann Medical College, of Chicago, in February, 1871, and came
to Eau Claire, March 30, of that year.
Dr. Edward H. Parker, who came to Eau Claire July 12, 1879,
Avas born at Hartford, Washington county, in November, 1854,
and moved to Fond du Lac when thirteen years old. Graduated
from Fond du Lac high school in 1876, read medicine with Drs.
Patchen and Bishop, of that place, graduated at Hahnemann Col-
lege, Chicago, came to Eau Claire in 1879, and engaged in prac-
tice with Dr. DM'ight W. Day, remaining with him until 1881. He
died in 1913.
George F. Hamilton, M. D., was born in Chemung county, New
York, April 28, 1839. Came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1852,
resided at Pond du Lac one year, moved to Oakfield, Dodge
county, in 1853, remaining there until 1856, and then for a time
lived in Hillsboro, Vernon county. In 1862 went to Sheldon,
Monroe county, remaining there until 1866, then returned to
Vernon county, residing at Bloomingdale one year and two years
in Springville, then for one year resided at Sparta. In 1870 he
went to Augusta. He received his medical education at the Ben-
nett Eclectic Medical College, Chicago, and commenced practice
in 1866. After coming to Augusta he ran a drug store in connec-
tion with his practice. He was the first village president of
Augusta who was elected on the no-license ticket. He enlisted in
Company I, Thirty-seventh Wisconsin Volunteers, was discharged
March 18, 1865, on account of wounds received before Peters-
burg, Va.
Dr. W. W. Allen came to Eau Claire in tlie spring of 1857,
and with George W. Sanford opened the first shanty store in
the village located on the banks of the Chippewa. Dr. Allen
left Eau Claire with Captain Wheeler's company in the fall of
1863, and on the reorganization of the Second Wisconsin Regi-
ment was appointed assistant surgeon. He continued with the
regiment until mustered out at the close of the war and then
settled at Mason City, Iowa, where he died and was buried on
June 20, 1878.
320 HISTORY OP^ EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Dr. Dwight W. Day came to Eau Claire from Elkader, Clinton
county, Iowa, in October, 1868, and engaged in the practice of
his profession. He was born in the town of Eagle, Wyoming
county, New York, May 14, 1841, and graduated from the Buffalo
Medical College February 22, 1861. He was resident physician
in the Buffalo General Hospital and Lying In Hospital, and was
surgeon of the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth New York Volun-
teer Infantry. He went out as first assistant .surgeon, was pro-
moted to surgeon of the regiment and to acting brigade surgeon.
He served three years in the medical department, and then
returned to Arcade, New York, where he practiced until 1866,
when he moved to Iowa. His father was a prominent doctor in
Eagle, New York. Dr. Day was a brother of the late Henry
Day and a cousin of Dr. R, R. Chase. He died in 1901 while
reading a paper before the Medical Society in Eau Claire, which
sudden demise was characteristic of the Day family. Dr. Day
was a good doctor and had many warm friends.
Dr. Henry Day was born in Eagle, Wyoming county. New
York, September 1, 1840. He was educated in the Buffalo Med-
ical College, graduating in 1860. He commenced practice at
Arcade, remaining there until he came to Wisconsin. He was
in the state in practice with his brother in 1876, and came to Eau
Claire in 1881. Dr. Day was assistant surgeon of the Seventy-
eighth New York Volunteer Infantry, and acting surgeon of that
regiment for six months during the war. While his practice here
never assumed the proportions that his brother's did, he had a
good general practice and was well liked. He was twice mar-
ried. His first wife still lives in her old New York home, while
his second wife is matron of the Sparta Home for Dependent
Children.
Dr. Clinton Straw Chase was born May 25, 1831, and came
from Springtield, Vermont, to Eau Claire. He fitted for college
at Springfield, Vermont, graduated from Dartmouth College in
1852, studied medicine at Castleton and in New York City, and
received his degree of M. D. in 1855. Practiced two years at
Springfield and was in the drug business there and at Detroit,
Michigan. He came to Eau Claire in 1859 and went into the drug
business with Dr. Skinner, theirs being the first drug store in
the Chippewa Valley. He died at Detroit about 1899. October
29, 1869, he married Harriet Eliza Sherwin, of Weathersfield, Ver-
mont, and had three children: Anna, Alfred and Alice.
Dr. Ketchum was another one of the early doctors who prac-
ticed but a sliort time here, when he moved to the far west. He
THE MEDICAL FRATERNITY 321
practiced here during the reign of Dr. Chase and Dr. Skinner,
and these three physicians were styled in a sort of floating joke
as "Chase 'em, Ketch 'em and Skin 'em."
Dr. W. W. Day was born in the state of New York, came to Eau
Claire county in 1858 and settled on a farm between Eau Claire
and Chippewa Falls, where he farmed and practiced medicine.
He later came to Eau Claire and practiced his profession until
he moved to Walla Walla, Washington, in about 1879, where he
died.
William Young, farmer and physician, came to Wisconsin in
1839. Located in Waukesha county, farming some two years;
then in Jefferson county for fifteen years, farming and practicing
medicine. Came to Eau Claire county in 1856, engaged in farm-
ing and practicing medicine for many years. Was supervisor of
Otter Creek township for several years. He was born in Scot-
land in 1816 and came to America in 1828.
Peter McKittrick, M. D., was born near Lauart, Ontario,
•January 7, 1866, coming to this country when a young man of
tender years to carve out a future for himself. By application
and thrift the subject of this sketch procured an education and
took up the profession of teaching. Later he attended the Rush
Medical College, from which he graduated in February, 1889.
Immediately after he began the practice of his profession at
Thorp, Wis., and with the exception of one year he practiced
there continuously till February, 1908. During the one year
intervening the doctor practiced at Portland, Oregon.
Seeking a larger field. Dr. McKittrick came to Eau Claire
from Thorp and had since continuously resided and practiced
here. He was alone in the practice here until February 1, 1910,
when he formed a partnership with Dr. E. L. Mason.
The doctor had been ailing for several months, and after this
prolonged illness he died December 17, 1913. All recognized in
Dr. McKittrick a man of strong character and kindly disposition
— the kind that makes the world better and brighter for their
having lived. It can be truthfully said that Dr. McKittrick 's
existence was void of enmity. His traits of character were such
as to endear him and draw him closer in the bonds of friendship
to those who formed acquaintance and association with him.
Thus it is but natural, even in anticipation of the inevitable, that
the summons would bring tears, grief and sorrow to family,
friends and acquaintances.
Joseph J. Selbach, M. D. Among the able physicians of Eau
Claire county whose life was devoted to the benevolent work of
•322 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
alleviating the sufferings of humanity none stood more prominent
than Dr. Selbaeh. A native of Germany, he was born August 2,
1864, and came to America in 1883. His primary education was
received in the common schools of Germany, which was supple-
mented by a thorough course at the University of Ann Arbor,
from which he graduated with honor. His medical education was
received at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Chicago,
from which institution he was graduated in 1887. Upon the
arrival of Dr. Selbaeh in this country he came to Wisconsin,
locating at Green Bay and there made his home until 1888, when
he moved to Eau Claire and commenced the practice of medi-
cine in this city. A man of culture and attainments, he possessed
excellent personal qualities, which won for him the esteem of
all with whom he came in contact. As a member of the Inter-
County Medical Society he was often called upon for papers on
topics of interest to his profession, and his opinions were much
valued by his associates. He was popular in the social circles of
Eau Claire, and one of his chief diversions was fine music, both
vocal and instrumental.
Dr. Selbaeh was a leading member of the German Catholic
church, a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, also the
Catholic Knights of Wisconsin and of the Equitable Fraternal
Union. He married Mary M. Hedergott at Green Bay, Wis., and
eight children were born to them : Joseph W., William J., August
H. was drowned at the age of eight years, Hubert H., Cecelia M.,
Amelia M., Lucile I. and Marie A. The two elder sons, Joseph W.
and William J., are bright and promising young men, holding
positions in the Union National Bank, of Eau Claire. Hubert H.
is employed at the International Harvester Company office in Eau
Claire as bookkeeper.
F. R. Skinner, M. D., was born in Utica, New York, April 21,
1831. He began his education in the old Utica Academy, was at
Clinton Liberal Institute one year, Utica Academy five or six years
and at Springfield Wesleyan Academy preparing for college. He
entered Dartmouth College in the fall of 1849 and graduated in
1852. He then went to Castleton, Vermont, to study medicine,
and graduated in 1854. He attended a course of medical lec-
tures in New York City, and after reading awhile with Professor
.Goldsmith and also Dr. Bodd, of Utica, he took a general tour of
the West and Southwest. He located at Stevens Point in the fall
of 1855, was taken sick in the spring of 1856 and returned to
New York. He came to Eau Claire in 1857, spending a few
months in Stillwater, Minnesota, learning the banking business.
THE MEDICAL FRATERNITY 823
In the interim he built aud started a drug store in Eau Claire,
wliirli he ran till the spring of 1869, when he sold out to Farr,
Freneli & Co. He died March 1, 1904.
Dr. Arthur Thrane, M. D., came to Eau Claire in November,
1875, and has since been engaged in the practice of medicine here.
He was born in Norway, January 26, 1844, and came to America
in April, 1865. Remaining in New York one year he came to
Chicago and commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Paoli,
and graduated from Rush Medical College in 1868, beginning his
practice in Chicago.
Christian H. U. Midelfart, M. D., a prominent and successful
physician of Eau Claire, was born in Christiania, Norway, August
5, 1865, the son of Peter A. aud Nicolena (Solberg) Midelfart.
He was reared to manhood in his native country, received his
classical education in private schools and his medical education
was obtained in the University of Norway at Christiania, where
he was graduated in 1892. In 1893 he came to the United States
and located in Eau Claire, where he has since succeeded in build-
ing up a large and lucrative practice, second to none in this sec-
tion of the state, and is widely known as one of the leading mem-
bers of his profession. He was the first member of his family to
emigrate to the United States. He was married in 1898 to Mar-
garet, daughter of Rev. Ilalvard and (Helberg)
Hande, of Chicago, Illinois, who were formerly of Norway. Her
father was a clergyman of the Lutheran church and after com-
ing to the United States preached the gospel for several years,
and later engaged in newspaper work for the Norden Newspaper,
published in Chicago, and was considered one of the best Nor-
wegian penmen in the Ignited States. Dr. Midelfart and wife
are the parents of eight children : Anna L., Margaret E., Dangny
N., Peter A., Christian F., Ingeborg, Elise and Signe. The doctor
is a member of the Eau Claire County Medical Society, of which
he served one term as president, the Wisconsin State Medical
Society, the American Medical Association and the Norwegian
Physicians' Society. He was one of the directors of the Luther
Hospital, aud is at the head of the medical and surgical staff of
that institution. He occupies a prominent place in social circles
of the city aud in politics is affiliated with the democratic party.
Roy E. Mitchell, M. D., of Eau Claire, has attained the front
rank among the members of his profession in the city. He was
born at Porter's Mills, this county, March 17, 1876, a son of
Squire F. and Laura (Mcintosh) Mitchell, natives of the state
of New York and Maine respectively. His paternal grandfather.
324 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Samuel Mitchell, whose wife was Adaline Lombard, settled iu
the town of Brunswick, Eau Claire county, in 1871. He was a
lumberman and farmer, cleared and improved a farm in that town
and died there. His maternal grandfather, Benjamin G. Mcin-
tosh, a native of Maine, with his wife, Lydia, were also pioneers
of the town of Brunswick, where they settled in 1864, cleared a
part of a farm of 200 acres and resided in the town until his
death in May, 1913, aged eighty-nine years. He was a prominent
man of affairs and served as a member of the county board several
terms. Squire F. Mitchell, father of our subject, was born in
Allegany county. New York, November 4, 1851, and attended
the common schools of liis native state until fifteen years of age.
He came to Eau Claire county in 1871 and entered the employ
of the Daniel Shaw Lumber Company, Avhich was the commence-
ment of his career, details of which are more fully given in his
sketch to be found elsewhere in this work.
Dr. Mitchell was reared in his native town, received his educa-
tion in the schools of Eau Claire and graduated from the medical
department of tlie University of Minnesota in the class of 1901.
He served as interne and chief of staff of the Metropolitan (B. I.)
Hospital, New York City, for one and a half years, and in the
New York state service at Middletown, New York, nine years.
In August, 1911, he located at Eau Claire and has since built up
a lucrative practice. He was married September 1, 1908, to
Emily, daughter of John Dean and Lucy (Talcott) Judson, of
Vernon, New York, and has two children: Marjorie D. and
Mancel T.
Dr. Mitchell is a member of the Eau Claire Medical Society,
the Wisconsin State Medical Society, the American Medical Asso-
ciation and the Amei-ican Medico-Psycological Association. He
is also a member of Eau Claire Lodge No. 112, A. P. and A. M. ;
Eau Claire Chapter No. 36, R. A. M. ; Eau Claire Commandery
No. 8, K. T. ; the Germania Lodge No. 49, K. of P., I'ku Claire,
and the Modern Woodmen of America No. 3159, town of Bruns-
wick, Eau Claire county. Politically he is independent. In
December, 1913, Dr. Mitchell was appointed visiting physician
to the new Mt. Washington Tuberculosis Sanitarium.
Hiram A. Fulton, M. D., is another one of the progressive and
representative medical men of Eau Claire and the son of Marcus
and Adelia (Ansley) Fulton, natives of New York state. Com-
ing from Geneva, New York, to Hudson, Wisconsin, in the early
sixties, the father embarked in the real estate business and was
THE MEDICAL FRATERNITY 325
oue of the prominent and influential business men of that place,
where he resided until his death at the age of fifty-eight years.
Dr. Fultou was born November 23, 1877, at Hudson, Wiscon-
sin. He was educated in the public schools of that place and the
McAlister College at St. Paul, Minnesota, and received his med-
ical education at the Marquette College, iu Milwaukee. Enter-
ing the medical department of last named institution in 1897 he
was graduated in 1901 and iu June of the same year located at
Eau Claire, where he has since succeeded in building up a large
and growing practice. On November 5, 1902, he was united in
marriage with Miss Jeauuette Putnam, daughter of Samuel and
Caroline (Balcom) Putnam, of Eau Claire. To tliis union has
been born oue daughter — Frances C.
Dr. Fulton is a member of the Eau Claire County Medical
Society and the Wisconsin State Medical Society. He is a Royal
Arch Mason, stands high with the medical profession of the city
and is much esteemed for his social qualities.
John B. Mathiesen, M. D., ranks among the prosperous young
professional men of Eau Claire. He was born in Drammen, Nor-
way, November 13, 1872, the son of Thomas and Marie (Berger)
]\lathiesen.
Tlie subject of this sketch was raised in his native town,
received his education in private schools and the gymnasium.
Having determined to fit himself for the practice of medicine, he,
in 1890, entered the medical department of the University of
Norway at Christiania, and was graduated from there with the
class of 1898. He began his practice in Norway the same year
and remained thus engaged until 1900, when he came to the
United States and located in Eau Claire, where with the excep-
tion of three years spent abroad and two years spent in practice
at Whitehall he lias been associated with Dr. Christian Midelfart.
He is a member of the Eau Claire County Medical Society, the
Wisconsin State Medical Society and the American Medical
Association.
On June 24, 1903, Dr. ilathiesen married Miss Augusta, daugh-
ter of Einar Selmer, for many years a prominent druggist of Eau
Claire. They are the parents of three children — Anna, Erling
and Birgit IMatliiesen.
Albert F. Hahn, M. D., physician and surgeon, of Eau Claire,
Wisconsin, was born on a farm in Butler county, Iowa, April 17,
1868, a son of August H. and Thusnelda (Kaltwasser) Hahn, both
of whom were natives of Germany. His father came to the United
326 HISTORY OP EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
States in 1849 and for eighteen years was variously employed in
the states of Pennsylvania, Illinois and Colorado. He went to
Iowa in 1866 and settled on a farm in Butler county, where he
was successfully engaged in general farming until 1889, Avhen he
retired. After a long and busy life he died at Shellrock, Iowa,
in November, 1902, aged seventy-one years. The death of his
wife, mother of the doctor, occurred in 1889, at the age of forty-
three years.
Raised on the homstead farm in his native state, Dr. Halm
acquired his primary education in the district schools, which was
supplemented by courses of study at Wartburg College, Waverly,
Iowa, and the Iowa State Normal School at Cedar Falls. During
the years of 1888, '89 and '90 he taught school, and in the fall
of the last named year matriculated with the Rush Medical Col-
lege in Chicago, where he spent two years and was graduated
from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago in 1893,
and was a post-graduate from the Chicago Clinical School in
1896. He began the practice of his profession at Michieot, Mani-
towoc county, Wisconsin, in 1893. In 1898 he located in the city
of Eau Claire, where he has since conducted a successful and con-
stantly growing practice.
Dr. Hahn was married June 1, 1898, to Anna Gutwasser,
daughter of Fred and Bertha (Hafermeister) Gutwasser, promi-
nent residents of Dorchester, Wisconsin. Dr. and Mrs. Hahn
have an interesting family of three children — Thusnelda, Cecil F.
and Waldemar. The doctor is a member of the American Medical
Association, the Wisconsin Medical Society and is prominently
identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Maccabees and Mystic
Workers. Mrs. Hahn is a descendant in the fourth generation on
the paternal side from that sturdy Milwaukee pioneer, Gutwasser.
Dolenna Carlos Leavens, M. D., Fairchild, Wisconsin, is one
of the prominent physicians of Eau Claire county. He was born
on a farm in Lee Center township, Lee county, Illinois, April 26,
1850, the son of Daniel T. and Angeline (DeWolf) Leavens,
natives of New York and Pennsylvania respectively. They were
among the pioneers of Lee county, taking up land in Brooklyn
township, that county, in an early day, which they improved. In
later life the father retired from active labor, moving to Lee
Center and resided there until his decease at the age of eighty-one
years, and where also the mother died at the age of eighty-nine
years. Of a family of twelve children born to them, ten grew to
maturity: Dolenna C. ; Euretta married D. M. Sawyer; Estella
married Cyrus Clark ; Freeman B. ; Ernest ; Elviek and Josephine,
THE MEDICAL FRATERNITY 327
who married I. N. Wood. Those deceased are Alfred, Eugene and
Charles.
Dr. Leavens was reared on the homestead farm in Lee county,
Illinois, receiving his early education in the common schools. He
began the study of medicine in 1875 with Dr. J. H. Broffet, of
Paw Paw, Illinois. He entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, in
1880 and graduated with the class of 1883. The same year he
began practice at Lee Center, Illinois, remaining there for sixteen
years, whence he moved to Amboy, Illinois, and practiced there six
years. In 1902 on account of ill health he came to Wisconsin and
purchased eighty acres of land in the town of Fairchild, Eau
Claire county, and was there engaged in farming two years. He
later took the examination before the Wisconsin State Board of
Medical Examiners and has since been in the active and success-
ful practice of his profession in the village of Fairchild.
Dr. Leavens has been twice married. His first wife was Helen,
daughter of Jacob N. and Lydia (Robinson) Hill, of Lee county,
Illinois, by whom he had three children, viz. : Mae, wife of
Thomas Courtright; Daniel Earl and Carl II. Mrs. Leavens died
in 1895, and the doctor married the second time Ella F. Taylor,
daughter of Ephriam and Ellen (Clatiin) Taylor, of Lee Center,
111., and by her has one son — Wray T.
Fraternally Dr. Leavens is a member of Lee Center Lodge
No. 146, A. F. and A. M., of which he was Master one term. He
is an honorary member of the Lee County Medical Society and
politically is a republican.
David W. Ashuin, M. D. Standing prominent among the
medical profession of Eau Claire county is Dr. David W. Ashum,
who was born iu Findley, Ohio, January 18, 1854. His parents
were John and Fannie (French) Ashum, natives of Virginia and
descended from German and English ancestry. The father was
a farmer by occupation, and both parents were of fine sensibil-
ities, high minded, cultured tastes, of refined manner and charm-
ing personality, and were highly esteemed for their sterling qual-
ities of mind and heart, and many blessings followed them for
their acts of charity to those in need. Tliey both died when Dr.
Ashum was a small boy.
The early education of Dr. Ashum was principally received in
Michigan. He became interested in the study of medicine and
applied himself arduously to it under the preceptorship of Dr.
John A. Waterhouse, an eminent physician of Bay City, Mich-
igan. He entered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati,
Ohio, and graduated with the class of 1881. He commenced his
328 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
practice at Bay City, Mich., and at the end of one year he
removed to Stevens Point, Wisconsin, where he organized a lum-
berman's hospital, under the name of the Michigan and Wiscon-
sin Hospital Company. In the spring of 1883 he removed to Eau
Claire and here started another lumberman's hospital, which he
conducted for seven years. He was instrumental in effecting the
organization of the American Hospital Aid Association, at Stev-
ens Point, Wausau, Eau Claire and Ashland, Wisconsin, and
Minneapolis and Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
As a practitioner Dr. Ashum has been successful. He has
built up a large practice and made many warm friends among all
classes of people. He keeps abreast of the times and is thor-
oughly up-to-date in the practice of his profession. In the fall
of 1889 he attended the new York Polyclinic, and he holds mem-
bership in the National and State Eclectic Medical Societies. He
is a member of the National Union, the Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons and the A. 0. U. W.
Dr. Ashum was married at Alpena, Michigan, May 17, 1883, to
Miss Carrie Harper, daughter of John and Abbie (Milliken)
Harper, the former a native of New Brunswick, and the latter
of Maine, both descended from Scotch ancestry.
Alexander Harper, father of John Harper, was born in Aber-
deen, Scotland, and came to the western continent in 1818, first
settling at Halifax. Benjamin IMilliken, father of Abbie Harper,
was a native of Maine, and served in the War of 1812. His
father, Joel Milliken, was a soldier in the War of the Revolution,
and was likely born in this country, being a son of one of three
brothers who came from Scotland, and who at one time owned
nearly all of the Saco Valley, having purchased it from the
Indians. Dr. and Mrs. Ashuna were the parents of two children :
John H. and Maude Harper Ashum. Mrs. Ashum died March
8, 1911.
Ralph RolUn Chase, M. D., of Eau Claire, has attained to a
prominent place in the ranks of the medical profession of Eau
Claire county. He was born in Lima, Livingston county, New
York, July 4, 1860, a son of Levi C. and Lucy A. (Crouch) Chase,
and comes of English ancestry. Their coat of arms was obtained
through Queen Ann, who knighted John Chase, who accompanied
her from France as her licentiate or court physician when she
returned to England to become queen in 1702. His father, who
was born April 11, 1809, died in 1903, and his mother, who was
born December 7, 1817, died April 10, 1891.
Dr. Chase was graduated from the Geneseo College, New
THE :\IEDICAL FRATERNITY 329
York, with the class of 1882. He later studied medicine in New
York City, where he had rare clinical advantages at several hos-
pitals, and was graduated from the medical department of the
University of Minnesota in 1889, being valedictorian of his class
and prosector. On April 22, 1889, he located at Eau Claire, where
he has since been in the active and successful practice of his pro-
fession. Dr. Chase is a member of the American Medical Asso-
ciation, the Wisconsin State Medical Society and the Eau Claire
County Medical Society. He is a ;i2ii,l dcuicc .Mason and Shriner,
also a member of the Knights of Pythias and tlie Knights of Her-
mann, being past dictator and representative of the Grand Lodge
of Wisconsin of the last named order. He is also a member of
1 he Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, is medical examiner
j'or the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Mutual Benefit
Insurance Company of New Jersey.
The Chase family is noted for its longevity and for their pref-
erence for the medical profession, the majoi'ity of the male mem-
liers of the family being disciples of Esculapius. Dr. Chase is a
cousin of Drs. D wight and Henry Day, who successfully practiced
tneir profession in Eau Claire for over thirty .years. Dr. Chase's
father died in Eau Claire at the resideiu'e of our subject in 1903
at the age of ninety-four years.
Dr. Chase has large real estate holdings in Eau Claire. He
was married June 1, 1908, to Belle, daughter of Lucius V. and
Belle (Burdette) Ripley, of Eau Claire.
In addition to the many other prominent positions filled by
Dr. Cliase, he served as health physician for the cit.y of Eau Claire
nine years.
Arthur L. Payne, M. D. Standing prominent among the med-
ical i>rofessiou of Eau Claire is Dr. A. L. Paj'ne, specialist in dis-
eases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He was born in Marietta,
Ohio, January 16, 1866, the son of Wallace M. and Alary E.
(Gates) Payne. The doctor received his preliminary education
at the Marietta Academy, and in 1887 matriculated with the
Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, and was gi-aduated
from the Ohio Medical College, which is now known as the med-
ical department of the University of Cincinnati in 1890. He
began his practice in the city of Dayton the same year, remaining
there until 1899, during which time he took up the specialty of
the eye, ear, nose and throat, in which he had made a special
study. In the year 1899 he moved to Eau Claire and has since
been engaged in a successful practice.
On October 8, 1890. Dr. Pavue was married to Nellie R.
330 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Beachem, daughter of T. W. and Samantha (Terry) Beaeliem, of
Dayton, Ohio, and they are the parents of one son — Norman B.
Dr. Payne ranks among the leading specialists in Northwestern
Wisconsin, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of the com-
munity generally. He is a member of the Eau Claire County
Medical Society, the Northwestern District of Wisconsin Med-
ical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society, the American
Medical Association, the American Academy of Ophthalmology
and Autolaryngology, the College of Surgeons of America and
the Clinical College of Surgeons.
Dr. Payne is also prominent in fraternal and benevolent socie-
ties, being a member of Dayton Lodge No. 147, Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons, the Eau Claire Chapter No. 36, R. A. M. ; Eau
Claire Commandery and the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks.
William 0. Seemann, M. D., Eau Claire, the well known spe-
cialist in chronic disease, is the son of Hans and Mary (Peterson)
Seeman, both natives of Schleswig, Holstein, Germany, who emi-
grated to the United States in 1853. Upon arriving in this coun-
try they settled in Lyons, Iowa, where the father engaged in farm-
ing and made that his home until 1884, when he moved to South
Dakota, having previously purchased a tract of valuable farming
land there, making that his home until his death.
Dr. Seeman was born in Lyons, Iowa, August 6, 1870, receiv-
ing his preliminary education in the public schools of Sutherland,
Iowa. In 1892 he entered the medical department of the State
University at Iowa City, and was graduated with the class of
1895, receiving his degree of M. D. Following his graduation lie
served one year as interne in the hospital connected with the
university, then went to Dubuque, Iowa, where he had charge of
his brother's practice for one year. In 1897 he came to Eau Claire
and has since been in active practice here. The doctor ranks
among the foremost physicians of the city, and enjoys the con-
fidence of a large clientele.
On September 6, 1898, he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of
Gabriel and Elizabeth (Herd) Weis, of Dubuque, Iowa, and they
are the parents of two children — Lester W. and Mary B. The
doctor is a member of the Eau Claire County Medical Society, the
Wisconsin State Medical Society and is also a member of the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and a 32nd degree
Mason.
Edward S. Hayes, M. D., one of the prominent physicians of
Eau Claire, was born in Franklin county, JMaine, December 27,
THE MEDICAL FRATERNITY 331
1856, a sou of Charles and Emma (Bullen) Hayes, both natives
of Maine. Edward S. received his preliminary education in the
public schools of Maine and prepared for college at the Maine
Wesleyan Seminary, Kent's Hill, that state. He attended Amherst
College one year — 1877 and 1878 — and then entered the medical
department of Harvard University, graduating from the latter
in 1881. He then spent one year as interne in the hospital at
Providence, Rhode Island, and in 1883 located at Eau Claire,
where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of medi-
cine and has attained to a place of prominence among the med-
ical profession.
On June 1, 1887, Dr. Hayes married Miss Miriam, daughter of
Orrin H. and Cornelia (Pierce) Ingram, pioneer of Eau Claire,
and among her most highly respected citizens (sketch of whom
appears elsewhere in this volume). Dr. and Mrs. Hayes have two
children : Ruth I. and Edmund.
Dr. Hayes is a member of the Eau Claire Medical Society, the
Wisconsin State Medical Society and the American Medical Asso-
ciation, and has been a member of the State Board of Health
since 1909. Fraternally he is a member of Eau Claire No. 112,
A. F. and A. M., and politically is a republican.
Eugene E. Tupper, physician and surgeon, of Eau Claire,
Wisconsin, was born in Sheboygan Falls, this state, January 15,
1871, the son of George L. and Sarah (White) Tupper. His
paternal grandfather, Eben Tupper, a native of NeAV Hampshire,
was one of the first settlers in Sheboygan county, where he
cleared up and improved a farm of 250 acres and was the first
man to own a team of horses in that county. The doctor's
maternal grandfather was Rand B. White, a native of New York
state, who was also a pioneer of Sheboygan county. He was a
carriage maker by trade and also a physician, having been
graduated from a medical college in the state of New York.
Dr. Tupper spent his boyhood in Sheboygan Falls, receiving
his primary education in the public schools, which was supple-
mented with a course at the Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois,
and the University of Chicago. He entered the medical depart-
ment of the Illinois University in Chicago, and was graduated
with the class of 1905. The same year he began his practice at
Hingham, Sheboygan county, remaining there until 1908, when
he located in Eau Claire, and has since remained here in the
active and successful practice of his profession.
On November 1, 1900, Dr. Tupper married Rose D., daughter
of Augustus D. and Celia (Doane) Bemis, of Plymouth, Wiscon-
332 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
sill. Dr. Tupper is one of the foremost men of his profession,
iu which lie is an efficient and conscientious worker, and enjoys
the confidence of the community. He is a member of the Amer-
ican Medical Association, the West Wisconsin District Medical
Society, the Eau Claire County Medical Society, of which he has
served as secretary. Also a member of the Wisconsin State
Surgical Society. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias
and the Baptist cliurch.
John Van Reed Lyman, M. D. Of the galaxy of medical men
for which this part of the state of Wisconsin has gained no little
fame, is to be found in the front rank, if not iu the very van, the
gentleman whose name is here recorded. He was born iu North
Pepin, Wis., January 13, 1857, a son of Reverend Timothy and
Valleria (Reinhart) Lyman. The first known ancestor of the
Lyman family was Thomas Lyman, who lived in England in
1275. Dr. Lymairs first ancestor in America was Richard Lyman,
who came from Norton, Mandeville, Parish of Ongai-, county of
Essex, England, iu 1631, settling at Charlestou, Mass. Twenty-
six members of the fifth and sixth generations in America fought
for independence in the war of the revolution. The generations
in liue of descent to our subject from Richard, were John, Moses,
Moses, Elias, Timothy, Timothy, Timothy, and Timothy. Tim-
othy III, grandfather of our subject, married Experience Bard-
well and was a resident of Chester, Mass., Mdiere he died at the
age of 52 years. Timothy, father of Dr. Lyman, was born August
28, 1819, graduated from Amhurst College in 1844, and was or-
dained to the Congregational ministry in 1850. For fifteen years
he was engaged in missionaiy work in the west and south. He
was installed pastor of a church iu Killingworth, Conn., in 1866,
serving as active pastor of a church at Southwick, Mass., in 1869,
and died at the age of 67 years at Bar Harbor, Maine. He was
married to Valeria Van Reed Reinhart, June 15, 1854, and they
had two sons, William Bardwell, M. D., a graduate of Rush Med-
ical College, Chicago, in the class of 1880, located in Eau Claire
in 1882, where he became prominent in his profession, and is now
actively engaged in practice in Boise City, Idaho, and our subject.
Dr. J. V. R. Lyman, second son and subject of this review,
received an academic education at Fort Madison, loAva, gradu-
ating therefrom in 1873. He then engaged in mercantile piirsuits
until 1876, when he began the study of medicine and later was
appointed hospital steward in the Ft. Madison, Iowa, penitentiary,
where he enjoyed rare clinical advantages. In 1877 he attended
the St. Louis Medical College and the followiug two years In*
THE MEDICAL FRATERNITY 333
spent at the Rush Medical College in Chicago, where he was grad-
uated in 1880. He located in Eau Claire the same year, where
he has since been engaged in active and successful practice of his
profession, making a specialty of surgery and gj'necology, de-
voting considerable time to this specialty. In the meantime, he
made a trip to Europe, spending some time in Berlin, where he
took advanced instructions and now stands at the head of his
profession in Eau Claire county. He is a member of the Amer-
ican Medical Association and the Wisconsin State and Eau Claire
County Medical Societies.
E'r. Lyman was married Juue 7, 1881, to Maud, daughter of
W. L. and Sarah (Williams) Kepler, pioneers of Eau Claire. To
this union were born two children, John Van Reed, Jr., who is
connected with tlie Press of Minneapolis, and Valeria, deceased.
The present wife of Dr. Lyman was Mary, daughter of Otis C.
and Harriet (Disbro) Sylvester, of Minneapolis, to whom he was
married August 27, 1909, and by her has one son, Richard Van
Reed.
Dr. Lymaa is a 32nd degree Mason, and in politics a Repub-
lican. A half-brother, Timothy Fifth, is a graduate of Dartmouth
College and is noAV a student of medicine in the medical depart-
ment of Leland Stanford University in California, and a half-
sister, Helen jM.. a graduate of Mt. Hol.yoke Seminary, is a teacher
in the high school of Eau Chi ire
James Bell Goddard, M. D.,'- was born in Lena, Stephenson
county, Illinois, October 25, 1856. His parents, William R. and
Catherine (Bell) Goddard, were natives of Vermont and Penn-
sylvania respectively. His paternal grandfather was a native
of Vermont and one of the pioneers of Stephenson county, Illi-
nois, and by occupation a farmer. He retired with a competency
and died at the age of 92 years. His maternal grandfather,
William Bell, was a native of Pennsylvania and made his home
near Altoona. William R. Goddard, father of the doctor, came
to Illinois with his parents when a boy and was a farmer by
occupation. He fought in the Mexican war and when the civil
war broke out raised a company at Lena and Freeport. Entering
the service, he was promoted to Major of the 15th Illinois Regi-
ment and served under General Grant and was killed in the
battle of Shiloh, April 7, 1862. His wife, with her brother, Robert
Bell, emigrated to Illinois via the Ohio and Mississippi rivers by
boat. Landing at Savannah, 111., they traveled overland by teams
to Stephenson county and there joined an elder brother for whom
she kept house until her marriage.
334 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Dr. Goddard was reared on a farm, received his education in
the public schools at Lena, 111., and Knox College at Galesburg,
from which he graduated in 1886. The same year he matricu-
lated with Rush Medical College of Chicago and was graduated
in 1888. He began practice at Winslow, 111., remaining there
until 1891, then spent a year and a half at Berlin and Vienna,
taking laboratory and clinical work. On his return to the United
States, he located at Austin, 111., where he remained until 1900,
when he came to Eau Claire. He is now a member of the Eau
Claire County and the "Wisconsin State Medical societies.
Richard F. Werner, M. D.,*' was born in Eau Claire, September
11, 1871, to Peter and Augusta (Kitzman) Werner. The parents
of Peter Werner were natives of Germany and pioneer settlers
of Sheboygan, Wis., and owned and operated the first saw mill
there. He carried on lumbering until his death in 1854:. Tlie
maternal grandfather, August Kitzman, a native of Germany,
whose wife was Rose Otto, was among the pioneers of Eau Claire
county. He was a farmer and lumberman, and died in 1898 at
the age of 80 years. His wife died in 1911, aged 86 years.
Peter Werner, father of our subject, came to Eaii Claire in 1862
and followed lumbering also until he retired in 1902. He now
resides in Los Angeles, Cal. There were five sons and three
daughters in the family, viz: Charles, Richard F., Harriet, Henry,
Otto H., Ewald, Helen, and Rose.
Dr. Werner was educated in the public schools of Eau Claire
and at the Beloit College. His medical education was obtained at
the Rush Medical College of Chicago, from which he graduated
in 1897. He began his practice at Augusta, remaining there until
1095, when he removed to Eau Claire. He married November 15,
1899, Agnes Keith, daughter of John and Agnes (Barlaud)
Keith, and has three sons, Richard K., Keith, and Thomas. Dr.
Werner is a member of the Presbyterian church, the Masons, Odd
Fellows, Knights of Pythias, the Eau Claire County Medical So-
ciety, the Wisconsin State Medical Society, the American Medical
Association and the Congress of Surgeons of North America.
Frederick Sutton Cook, M. D., Eau Claire's well known special-
ist in diseases of the eye, ear, nose, and throat, is the son of
Judge William Cook, one of the pioneer jurists of Davenport,
Iowa, and Mary (Fletcher) Cook, natives of New York and
Derbyshire, England, respectively.
Dr. Cook was born in Davenport, Iowa, July 16, 1880, was
reared in that city, receiving his primary education in the public
schools. He afterward entered the Iowa State University Col-
THE MEDICAL FRATERNITY 335
lege of Medicine, from which he was graduated iu 1906 with the
degree of M. D. While attending college he acted as assistant to
Professor L. W. Dean, of the university. He made a special study
of diseases of the eye, ear, nose, and throat, and in 1907 came to
Eau Claire, where he has since built up a large and lucrative
practice in these specializations, and has become well and favor-
ably known.
On September 15, 1909, Dr. Cook was married to Ida Snyder,
daughter of Samuel and Mary E. (Brown) Snyder, of Chippewa
Falls. Dr. and Mrs. Cook have one daughter, Mary Elizabeth
Cook. The doctor is a member of the Eau Claire Medical Society,
president in 1914 the Wisconsin State Medical Society, West Wis-
consin District Medical Society, the American Medical Associa-
tion, and the Clinical Congress of Surgeons. He is prominently
connected with Eau Claire Lodge, No. 112, Free and Accepted
Masons, and of Eau Claire Chapter, No. 36, R. A. M., Eau Claire.
He is also a member of Commandery Knights Templars, a member
of Germania Lodge, No. 49, Knights of Pythias, and a member of
the Episcopal church.
Herman F. Derge, M. D. Standing prominent among the mem-
bers of his profession in Eau Claire is Herman F. Derge, a son
of Ferdinand and Ida (Schultz) Derge. Dr. Derge was born in
Eau Claire, Wis., August 22, 1883. His paternal grandparents
were Ferdinand and Augusta (Grewe) Derge, of the Province of
Brandenburg, Germany, where the father was born January 25,
1855. He came to America in 1870, locating first in Milwaukee.
In 1875 he engaged in the manufacture of cigars with his brother
Julius at Eau Claire, which business he continued until his death,
which occurred in 1891. His wife, mother of our subject, was a
native of J\Iilwaukee, and they were the parents of two sons,
Herman F. and Ferdinand. Herman Schultz, matei-nal grand-
father of Dr. Derge, a native of Germany, was a pioneer of the
city of IMilwaukee and later of Eau Claire, where he settled in
1860.
Dr. Derge Avas reared in this city, receiving his primary edu-
cation in the public schools, which was supplemented by a thor-
ough course in the Wisconsin State University at Madison, from
which institution he was graduated in 1904 with the degree of
Bachelor of Arts. He then entered the medical department of
the Johns Hopkins University at Baltimore, Md., graduating with
first honors in the class of 1908. While at the University of
Wisconsin he was elected to the honorary fraternity. Phi Beta
Kappa. At the Johns Hopkins University a similar honor was
3S6 HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
bestowed upon him when he was made a member of the honorary
medical fraternity, Alpha Omega Alpha. From 1908 to 1910 he
practiced as house physician at the Johns Hopkins hospital at
Baltimore. Returning to Eau Claire in 1910, he began practice
with Dr. Lyman as a member of the firm of Lyman & Derge, and
since 1912 as a member of the firm of Lyman, Derge, and Curtis.
Dr. Derge married September 8, 1909, Miss Margaret Ziegler,
daughter of Dr. Charles B. and Jennie (Baker) Ziegler, of Balti-
more, Md., and they have two children : Dorothy and Elizabeth.
Dr. Derge stands high in his profession and in the social life of
the community. He is a member of the Eau Claire County Med-
ical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society, the Wisconsin
Surgical Society, and the American Medical Association, and is
prominently identified with the Jlasonic fraternity.
John F. Farr, M. D.,* of Eau Claire, is the son of Rufus and
Ellen (Thomas) Farr, and was born at Wellsboro, Pa., March 15,
1862. His father, who was a native of Vermont, and his mother
■ of Wales, came to Eau Claire in 1879, remaining here two years,
whence in 1881 they located at Menomonie, Wis., where the father
engaged in the hotel business, conducting the Menomonie House
for several years. He later purchased the Merchants' Hotel,
which he carried on until it was destroyed by fire, this being his
second misfortune of the kind while a resident of Menomonie.
After the destruction of the Merchants' Hotel, he went to Hudson,
Wis., and there became the proprietor of the Chapin Hall House
until 1895, when he retired from active business and returned to
Eau Claire, where he died in 1902 at the age of 79 years. His
family consisted of two sons, Frank, who is an attorney at law,
occupies a prominent place in the legal profession of Eau Claire,
and our subject.
Dr. Farr was reared in Blassburg, Pa., receiving his education
in the public schools. He came to Eau Claire with his parents in
1879 and in 1881 embarked in the drug business with his brother
Frank, under the firm name of Farr Brothers, in which business
he continued until 1892. He entered the medical department of
Hamlin University, Minneapolis, Minn., graduating therefrom in
1897. He practiced one year before coming to Eau Claire, and
since 1898 has been actively and successfully engaged in the
practice of his profession in this city.
On March 23,